Russians Trying to Drive Ukrainian Armed Forces Out of Ilyinka, Losing Staggering Amounts of Equipment - Forbes
Date: 2024-11-04 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WAR
The Russians, using a five-fold advantage in manpower, are trying to drive the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the village of Ilyinka in the Donetsk region, but they are suffering devastating losses in equipment. According to Forbes analyst David Ax, the Russian 20th Motorized Rifle Division, numbering about 10,000 soldiers, has fallen upon the Ukrainian 79th Airborne Assault Brigade, numbering 2,000.
Ax notes that if Ilyinka and nearby settlements fall, Russian forces will be able to advance north and encircle the Ukrainian garrison in Kurakhovo, a key position for the defense of the southern Donetsk region.
As noted by the Ukrainian drone operator Kriegsforscher, the 79th Separate Assault Brigade "is under massive enemy pressure," which began about two weeks ago, and the situation is close to critical.
At the same time, Ukrainian paratroopers are destroying Russian armored vehicles at a rapid pace during the battle - first modern BMP-3s, and then older BMP-2s and MT-LBs, notes Aks:
"The carnage on the way to Ilyinka helped raise Russian losses to a record level. Analyst Andrew Perpetua counted 206 destroyed, damaged, and abandoned Russian vehicles on Saturday. On the same day, he counted only 49 Ukrainian losses."
At the same time, the analyst notes, judging by the Russians' strategy, they are ready to exchange equipment and troops for territory.
As noted by Ukrainian journalist Stanislav Aseyev, the occupiers continue to use their previously successful "bag" tactics, bypassing the Ukrainian Armed Forces positions from three sides and leaving a narrow "neck" for retreat. "As a result, even combat-ready units often begin to panic when surrounded, which leads to the withdrawal of troops," he noted.
