Ukrainian Mi-24’s going out to sortie around the town of Pryvline.
Russian and Ukrainian forces have been amassing around the small farming town of Pryvilne, as uncharacteristically dry summer weather has made the town and its surrounding area optimal terrain for armored warfare. The usual Rapitistas and muddy conditions of southern Ukraine in the southern months have not reached here, as record lack of rainfall has seen the ground become hard and sturdy, allowing better support of armored formations. For the last two weeks, Russian and Ukrainian Armored formations have made their way south, with elements of a Guards Armor and Motor-Rifle Division being moved from Omsk, into theater and down south, based on limited information provided to us by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Ukraine in response has moved what armored formations it can, from reserve into the theater, as other formations are being pulled off the lines for what many are saying will be this generation’s greatest tank battle since the Gulf War.
Ukrainian Forces of the 35th Brigade, taking cover in a trench within Pryvilne, during skirmishes.
Ukrainian formations have also moved elite units of Leopard and Abrams equipped tanks into the area, supported by sizable formations of Bradleys, and BMPs. Russia on the other hand is rumored to be fielding a small task force of T-14s and T-15s in response, apparently to test the validity of the experimental platform for the first time in the war. This is to say nothing about the effort from the Russian VVS (The Russian Air Force) and Missile formations.
Despite the terrible looking odds, Ukrainian forces were able to score some notable victories over the Russian forces in the town last week, with what had looked to be an early Russian breakthrough being turned around by veteran formations of the 35th Brigade, which many know had just come from fighting previously in Novogorsk. Reports indicate that Russian forces had stormed the town, but were turned back when elements of the 35th were committed to the counter-attack, with several Russian prisoners taken and speaking out on the poor condition of the Russian Army, and lack of supply. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has pointed at these statements of the effectiveness of the Ukrainian Army, and most of all what can be done with continued support from the west.
Ukrainian forces close to the frontline awaiting orders to move out.
Regardless, the Battle itself has yet to be started in earnest, says a senior military analyst, who says “It is too soon to tell.” in reference to the previous engagements being nothing more than a probing attack by more eager units. Many of these analyst expect the battle will likely begin sometimes next week and only then can we say for certain the state of the Russian Army in this portion of Ukraine.
AAN News, reporting.