Unless Ukraine Regains Kherson, Next Spring Russia May Attempt to Use It for Advancing towards Odesa – Expert
Former Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Viktor Andrusiv, believes that Kherson Region may be liberated by the end of the summer, but only if a sufficient number of fighter jets and artillery systems are received from partners.
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Otherwise, next spring, the Russians may to use the region as a base for advancing towards Mykolaiv and Odesa, Andrusiv says.
The former Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs currently sees no prerequisites for the rapid liberation of Kherson region.
"Success of any offensive operation is determined by two components: air force and artillery. Unfortunately, our partners haven’t yet provided us with either in sufficient quantities. If by the end of July we in deed receive enough artillery systems, such as HIMARS systems, which have proven themselves highly efficient, then will can talk about the liberation of Kherson region," Andrusiv emphasizes.
According to him, today Ukraine is more likely to carry out tactical maneuvers to improve its position at the frontline in order to launch a swift counteroffensive in the future.
Meanwhile, Andrusiv emphasizes that the task of liberating the Kherson Region, as ordered by the President Zelenskyi, is extremely important for Ukraine.
"If we fail to do it, then most likely, next spring Kherson will be used as a base for future offensive on Mykolaiv and Odesa," Andrusiv believes.
On the other hand, if the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully regain control over Kherson Region, the Russians will not be able to carry out any further offensive operations in the South and will be vulnerable to the Ukrainian artillery, since their alignments will be essentially in the plain sight.
"As soon as they try to advance, our artillery, which will have arrived from the West by that time, will destroy them. Therefore, for us, this is a strategic task that we must fulfill this year," the former Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs states.
Andrusiv emphasizes that entire southern grouping of Russian troops is supplied from annexed Crimea. Therefore, if Ukraine regains Kherson, the entire logistic system of the invaders may collapse.
"This is a steppe area with open terrain. And in fact, there are only few settlements suitable for construction of fortified defence positions. If we regain these territories, then any Russian units coming from Crimea will be be moving in the plain sight, and our artillery will easily neutralize them”, Andrusiv adds.
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