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Have the tactics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Russian army changed at this stage of the war? Is it possible to talk about the beginning of the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the south? When the active phase of hostilities ends? Today, on August 1, on the air of the marathon “Ukraine Speaks” on the TV channels “Dom” and UA, General of the Army of Ukraine, ex-head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Mykola Malomuzh spoke about this.
Malomuzh told whether the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting a counteroffensive now:
“The counteroffensive is determined by our strategic successes and the task set by the President of Ukraine. About a month ago, Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi – to liberate the south of Ukraine.
However, the direction of the main attack remains a secret. Personnel readiness and weapon availability determine when an operation begins.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine already have about a million servicemen, plus new reserves are being trained
The general explained for what purpose Russia is accumulating its troops in the Kherson direction after the destruction of the Antonovsky bridge:
“Kherson is our key to a big victory. Russia understands that the tension in the south is growing, that`s why they are already panicking. How do remove this block of threats? Of course, with new troops, equipment, weapons, and new missiles.
They will continue diverting strikes both in the Kharkiv direction and in the Donetsk one. But now, as I understand it, they were given the task of keeping the Kherson region.”
Malomuzh explains the tactics of counter-offensive operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
“But we have very different options for action. We will not advertise them. But there can be very unexpected and very powerful strikes against the enemy grouping in those regions in which he does not expect them.
Therefore, the key to a successful large-scale operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is not only in Kherson but also in other directions. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are now using an elective strategy – they create very large prerequisites for an offensive in several regions. This is very correct.
The enemy is disoriented. He cannot now generate all the main forces in any one direction. Russian forces cannot understand where the main blows will be. And already there is disorganization. This is an important signal for us that the enemy is afraid, the enemy is not ready for a large-scale struggle. And we were accumulating forces and means, we are already ready for both systemic defense and the direction of the main attack.”
The general explained what weapons Ukraine needs to conduct a successful counteroffensive:
“First of all, the arms supply strategy was determined at the last meeting of the “Ramstein” group of defense ministers, which includes 50 countries. And we already have the prospect of getting up to 30 Hymars in total. The NATO countries decided to coordinate similar means in different countries, so such weapons will come to us not only from the United States. And this will happen within a few weeks.
So, what is already underway and what we need in addition before September:
- missiles of the Himars type, now deliveries of the German MLRS MARS-II with a range of up to 120 km, and when using special missiles – up to 300 km, have begun;
- long-range howitzers for 60 and 120 km, depending on the type of projectile;
- radar means – they act both in relation to aviation and in relation to all means of destruction of armored vehicles, they can control any missile launches from Russia, Belarus, and the Caspian Sea. That is, a system that both closes the sky and destroys missiles;
- new tanks are updated to the latest NATO standards. They are now supplied to us by Germany and Poland, as well as other countries;
- updated armored personnel carriers are already underway.”
About the possibility of delaying hostilities until winter:
“Our understanding of Russia and its strategy dates back almost to World War II. As a result, we must put them to the point of exhaustion to completely break them. New strategies and tactics required, along with the latest technology.
My opinion is that jumping is not suitable for us now, since we have liberated several cities or villages and are getting ready for the next step.
Despite directing our forces in directions where the enemy has an advantage, we are preparing strikes he is not expecting. In this case, we need to calculate in detail – where the special forces will operate, where the sabotage groups will be, where we will hit warehouses and logistics centers. Within a few days, this should be done instantly. As a result, there is a good chance of encircling the enemy and obtaining success.”
