Airborne Forces and PMCs switched to new tactics in Artemovsk, by Andrey Rezchikov, Evgeny Pozdnyakov for VZGLYAD. 04.13.2023.
The new tactics of assault squads in Artemovsk began to have a tangible effect.
Russian assault detachments captured several city blocks in Artemovsk. This happened after the Russian paratroopers took over the flanks, thanks to which the Wagnerites concentrated their efforts on fighting in the city. The new tactics of PMCs and the Ministry of Defense, experts say, accelerate the capture of Artemovsk. What are the features of this tactic and what terms can we talk about the complete liberation of the city?
Assault detachments of PMC "Wagner" captured three quarters near the city of Artemovsk. This was announced on Wednesday by the official representative of the Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov. In addition, the Airborne Forces fettered the actions of the enemy on the flanks of the assault detachments.
Operational-tactical aviation strikes and artillery fire from the Southern Group of Forces hit units of the 28th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) near Konstantinovka of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and enemy reserves that were trying to break into Artemivsk from Chasov Yar and Bogdanovka.
On the eve the founder of PMC "Wagner" Yevgeny Prigozhin announced the control of 80% of Artemovsk by Russian forces. Among them are “all administrative centers, plants and factories” of the city and nearby settlements. He highlighted the actions of the paratroopers, who took over the flanks, thanks to which the assault units concentrated their efforts on the city itself.
However, according to Prigozhin, residential areas with high-rise buildings, under which tunnels have been dug, remain under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is on the assault on these structures that the main efforts of the PMC fighters are now concentrated. The successful actions of the “Wagnerites” were noted by the adviser to the acting head of the DPR, Jan Gagin.
According to him, PMC fighters are fighting fiercely in the western part of the city, where a grouping of Ukrainian troops of several thousand people is recorded. At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to deliver reserves to the city, "but most of them are destroyed at the entrance." Russian forces, Gagin added, have stepped up pressure on the only road linking Artemovsk and the city of Chasov Yar.
Recall that Artemivsk is located north of the large city of Gorlovka and remains an important transport hub for supplying the Ukrainian group of troops in the Donbass. During the retreat, Ukrainian units blew up buildings in the city center, including the administration building.
At the same time, a few weeks ago, it was assumed that in late March - early April, the enemy plans to launch a large-scale offensive and deliver flank cut-off strikes in order to cut off Wagner PMC units from the main forces of the RF Armed Forces.
In early March, it was also reported about the buildup of enemy forces in the Artemovsk area. We are talking about four groups: the 67th brigade in Slavyansk, the 81st and 66th brigades in Seversk, and one more brigade each in Konstantinovka and Chasovoy Yar. However, a possible counterattack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Artemovsk region did not take place due to the prompt resolution of a number of issues.
“The reason for the successful advance in Artemovsk is as follows: Wagner PMC transferred part of its own area of responsibility to the Ministry of Defense. Now the relevant department actually completely controls the Soledar sector of the front, ”said military analyst Mikhail Onufrienko.
“Thus, the assault squads managed to effectively redistribute forces and fully concentrate on taking the rest of the city. At the moment, we are seeing an active offensive by PMC "Wagner" both in the settlement itself and in its environs: from the village of Krasnoye to Orekhovo-Vasilyevka. We can say that the pressure of PMCs has almost doubled,” the expert notes.
“I emphasize that without close coordination of the two structures, this would not have been achieved. This means that between the heads of departments and higher structures there was an understanding of how to solve current problems. And this is a good sign,” the source said.
Member of the DPR parliament Vladislav Berdichevsky agrees with this opinion, adding that there was no “grater” between Wagner and the Ministry of Defense, the problems were in logistics and a number of management decisions on the ground. “The army has a charter that implies certain algorithms of actions. PMC works differently. But now I see that all issues have been resolved, and work continues for the sake of a common goal,” the deputy says.
He added that on Wednesday he met with civilians who returned from Artemovsk. “They say that only the western quarters remain under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Wagner PMC is already entering there,” the deputy said.
Therefore, I think that the next two weeks will be final for the capture of the city.
Onufrienko is confident that the well-coordinated work of the Ministry of Defense, Wagner PMC and volunteers will have a positive impact on our advancement deep into enemy territory. “The situation in Artemovsk is proof of that. I am not sure that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will hold out in Artemovsk until the beginning of May. PMCs will gradually grind the remnants of the enemy garrison, and the army team will cover them from the flanks. The well-coordinated work of all structures is the key to Russia's success,” the expert sums up.
The fact that the "Wagnerites" are aimed at finally liberating the city was announced on the radio "Moscow Speaking" by war correspondent Alexander Sladkov following his trip to Artemovsk. According to Sladkov, no one is thrown at the enemy like cannon fodder, and the tactics of PMCs avoid unnecessary casualties. According to his forecast, the city could be liberated before the end of April, as Yevgeny Prigozhin predicted earlier.
https://vz.ru/society/2023/4/13/1207275.html
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