The Russian army has problems with artillery — Estonian intelligence
Category
Ukraine
Publication date

The Russian army has problems with artillery — Estonian intelligence

Kiviselg
Source:  ERR

Russia has begun using North Korean artillery systems on the front, indicating Russia's increasingly critical situation with artillery systems and its dependence on imported weapons, said Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces' intelligence center.

Points of attention

  • Russian army facing artillery issues and increasingly relying on imported weapons, as revealed by Estonian intelligence.
  • Ongoing conflict in the Donetsk region between Russian and Ukrainian forces, with strategic strikes on key Russian infrastructure.
  • Both Russia and Ukraine employing airstrikes and missile attacks to weaken each other's military and economic targets.
  • Russia's use of North Korean artillery systems on the front reveals the critical situation with Russian artillery systems.
  • Current tactics indicate that both sides are focused on undermining the economic potential of the enemy to influence the course of the war.

The Russian army has problems with artillery

Kiviselg noted that the most notable tactical observation was the appearance of North Korean artillery systems on the front as part of Russian units.

This indicates Russia's increasingly critical situation with artillery systems and its dependence on imported weapons.

Kiviselg believes that in the 151st week of the war, trends that have already developed earlier persist, with Russian troops continuing to maintain the tactical initiative.

Although Russia has been able to tactically strengthen its military potential, it has not been able to achieve a complete advantage that would allow it to exert diplomatic pressure. Therefore, at present, the Russian Federation is not interested in ending hostilities and continues offensive operations.

Ants Kiviselg

Ants Kiviselg

Head of the Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Center

The main fighting is taking place in the Donetsk region in the Pokrovsky direction, where Russian troops are trying to advance in the western and eastern directions from the city.

Although the pace of advance has slowed, offensive pressure remains high, with an average of 164 attacks per day across the entire front.

Russia is likely trying to take advantage of the last few weeks of freezing winter weather, which allows it to use armored vehicles on frozen terrain. However, this winter has been milder than expected, so Russian troops are forced to use roads to move their equipment. This makes it easier for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to repel attacks.

Within a week, Russian troops were able to make slight advances in the directions of Velyka Novosilka, Toretsk, Godynnyk Yar, and Kupyansk.

In Kursk, Ukrainian units retreated to the positions they held before the new offensive on January 5. During the week, Ukrainian forces conducted several attacks in Kursk Oblast. Some settlements or districts are changing hands.

The reorganization of North Korean units operating in the Kursk region has not yielded significant results, the head of the intelligence center added.

Kiviselg added that Ukraine's rapidly effective defense, which is both fast-adapting and technically capable, withstands massive enemy pressure and gradually undermines its offensive capabilities.

Current situation on the front

At the same time, Ukraine continues to strike key Russian infrastructure. Over the past week, Ukraine has increased the number of strikes on Russian fuel and chemical industry enterprises.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the morning of January 14, Ukraine carried out one of the most massive air strikes on objects in Russia, hitting targets at a distance of 200–1,100 km deep into the country — in the Bryansk, Saratov, Tula regions and in the Republic of Tatarstan.

The attack hit the Aleksinsky Chemical Plant in the Tula region, which produces ammunition, gunpowder, and materials for the Russian military-industrial complex. An ammunition depot at the Engels airfield in the Saratov region, which mainly stored high-explosive bombs, guided bombs, and cruise missiles, was also hit. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also struck the Saratov oil refinery. A large fire was reported at the facility after the strike.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out a second attack on the oil storage facility in Engels. The previous attack took place on January 8. The oil depot burned for five days and was extinguished only a day before the new attack.

On the night of January 15, Russian forces, in turn, attacked Ukraine, involving six Tu-95MS bombers and eight Tu-22M3 bombers that took off from the Olenegorsk airfield in the Murmansk region.

The main targets of the Russian military were Ukrainian energy infrastructure and military facilities. The attack used cruise missiles, strike drones and ballistic missiles. A total of 43 missiles and 74 drones were launched. Ukraine shot down 30 missiles and 47 drones, and 27 drones deviated from course.

Both sides seek, first of all, to undermine the economic potential of the enemy, and thereby influence the course of the war, Kiviselg noted.

Category
Ukraine
Publication date

Syrsky announced the start of Russia's offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv regions

The new offensive of the Russian army has already begun
Source:  LB.ua

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky officially confirmed that the Russian invaders have actually already launched an offensive on the Sumy and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine.

Points of attention

  • Continuous updates and advancements in electronic warfare tools and countermeasures highlighted by Ukrainian military leadership.
  • Need to maintain technological advantage to effectively combat evolving threats emphasized by Syrsky.

The new offensive of the Russian army has already begun

Journalists asked Syrsky to comment on the words of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia is preparing for a new offensive on the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

I can say that the President is absolutely right, and this offensive has actually already begun. Because for several days, almost a week, we have been observing an almost doubling of the enemy's offensive actions in all main directions.

Oleksandr Syrsky

Oleksandr Syrsky

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Commander-in-Chief said that he and the commanders of unmanned units, unmanned brigades, and regiments recently summed up what was happening at the front.

In addition, intelligence shares what is emerging in the field of unmanned systems: what are the latest types of UAVs, the latest electronic warfare tools and means of combating them.

This process is so fast that something changes practically every month: more powerful systems appear, the range of applications, for example, of electronic warfare means, their order of operation increases. This is such a technological industry, and we need to keep our advantage here, — added Syrsky.

Category
Ukraine
Publication date

The introduction of peacekeepers into Ukraine. Syrsky pointed out an important point

Syrskyi voiced his position on peacekeepers
Source:  LB.ua

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky officially confirmed that European peacekeeping troops will not be on the front line if the fire on the battlefield is still stopped and the fighting is over.

Points of attention

  • Peacekeeping troops disrupt enemy plans and potentially stabilize the situation in Ukraine, as discussed by Syrsky.
  • The presence of peacekeeping troops may provide a temporary solution for security concerns in Ukraine, with uncertainties about long-term effectiveness.

Syrskyi voiced his position on peacekeepers

Journalists asked the commander-in-chief how realistic the scenario of introducing a contingent of foreign troops into Ukraine was.

According to him, in this case it is a political issue.

From a military point of view, of course, the presence of a contingent from another country is an additional guarantee of security, because they will guarantee that at least the part where these troops are located will not be hit by the enemy.

Oleksandr Syrsky

Oleksandr Syrsky

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Commander-in-Chief drew attention to the fact that theoretically these units will not be on the front line.

They plan to place them where there will be a minimal level of threat.

According to Syrsky, all decisions related to actions at the front are never made by Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky alone, but always consult with the military.

Journalists asked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine whether he considers peacekeeping troops to be a sufficient guarantee of security for Ukraine.

You know his (enemy's — ed.) plans, and the presence of the contingent disrupts them. And how predictable they will be... Yes, for a certain period, of course, this will stabilize the situation. But for how long, it is difficult to say, — emphasized Syrsky.

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