(Dan Tri) – Experts say Russia is making efforts to hold back Ukrainian forces and at the same time wants to create a tactical surprise with Kiev on the Zaporizhia front.
Landmines are commonly used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict (Illustration: Reuters).
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russian forces have increased minelaying in the Robotyne-Verbove settlement area and are trying to hold back Ukrainian forces in the frontline areas of western Zaporizhia province.
According to sources on the ground, Russian soldiers have begun to re-lay mines in areas previously cleared by Ukrainian engineers, aiming to create tactical surprise for their opponents.
Russia has spent months building a multi-layered defense system, preparing to deal with Ukraine’s counterattack campaign.
According to analysts’ assessments, Russia has created the world’s largest minefield, along a front line stretching more than 1,200km in Ukraine.
Ukraine spent a lot of time removing mines and finding ways to overcome these `fire lines` to create momentum for a counterattack.
A military blogger with ties to the Kremlin said Moscow has stepped up tactical attacks in several front-line areas outside Zaporizhia to stretch Ukraine’s defenses and distract Kiev.
Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for Ukraine’s Tavriia Group of Forces, said Russia was trying to block Ukrainian troops in the settlements of Avdiivka and Marinka, to prevent them from moving forces to the Zaporizhia front.
Ukraine announced that it continued its counteroffensive near Bakhmut and made small advances west of Zaporizhia on October 8.
The Ukrainian General Staff said they had gained momentum northeast of the Andriivka settlement (7km southwest of Bakhmut).
Sources from Russia and Ukraine also said that bad weather conditions are affecting the activities of both sides.
Russian sources say that worsening weather conditions on the Bakhmut and Zaporizhia fronts are affecting Ukraine’s offensive operations as well as Russia’s aerial reconnaissance efforts.
Captain Illia Yevlash, spokeswoman for the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, echoed the view that bad weather could affect the operations of drones and aircraft but would not prevent a counterattack
