The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have slowed down, while the Armed Forces of Ukraine have launched counterattacks, - media

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have slowed down, while the Armed Forces of Ukraine have launched counterattacks, - media

With the start of spring, the Russian Armed Forces’ offensive has weakened, while Ukrainian forces, on the contrary, have intensified and reclaimed a small portion of territories occupied by the enemy.

This was reported in a BBC article dated March 7.

Last week, the occupiers attacked at various locations, most actively to the west of Donetsk. In the Velykomykhailivka direction, they attempted to advance north of the Mokri Yali River, and in the Kurakhove direction, they tried to break through to the city of Konstantynopol. The enemy also attacked in the areas of Kupyansk and Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, in the area of Lyman and Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, in the area of Orikhiv southeast of Zaporizhzhya, and in the Kursk region.

"In most directions, the advancement of Russian troops compared to the autumn-winter campaign has been extremely insignificant," the publication noted.

At the same time, Russian sources reported on the activation of the Defence Forces to the west and north of Donetsk. They managed to push back the invaders advancing on Pokrovsk and restore positions. The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched counterattacks both on the flanks to the west and east of the city, as well as to the south.

Another Ukrainian counterattack was launched on Toretsk. The city, which seemed to be completely captured by Russia, once again became a battlefield. Reports mentioned a breakthrough by the defenders and shooting almost in the center of Toretsk.

A Russian military correspondent complained about the "extremely difficult" situation near Pokrovsk, where enemy logistics were being destroyed and there was a shortage of manpower. A similar picture, according to him, is observed near Chasiv Yar, and in Toretsk, there are urban battles.

The media suggested that among the reasons for the slowdown of the Russian offensive and the activation of the Defence Forces could be the following factors:

• the fatigue of the occupiers after many months of continuous offensive, necessitating reformation and regrouping;
• the change in weather conditions, as spring worsens roads while aiding drone flights;
• the appointment of General Mykhailo Drapatiy as head of the Operational Strategic Command "Khortytsia," with whose arrival the Ukrainian Armed Forces more frequently began deviating from the tactic of passive defence.

Ukrainian serviceman Oleksandr Karpyuk explained that, according to Kremlin expectations, the defenders were supposed to retreat at least within the entire territory of the Donetsk region, but Pokrovsk held. He emphasized that behind them was a very tough winter with a shortage of drones, disrupted mobilization, and demotivated new brigades.

Initially, the abnormally warm and foggy winter played into the enemy’s hands, hindering the work of "birds" and reconnaissance of Russian Armed Forces’ troop concentrations. However, when the frost hit, the situation changed. Additionally, units specializing in drones were deployed to the Donetsk direction, strengthening the defenders. Meanwhile, the new brigades gained experience and began to grow rapidly.

"This is not yet a counteroffensive, but we are moving from a static defence to active defence; the line is no longer collapsing as quickly, meaning there is now time to build fortifications," Karpyuk concluded.