Almost no one knows precisely where or when it will come. But Russian troops are braced
in early March and widely circulated in April. It is a large force but with some glaring weaknesses.
One problem for Ukraine is how to achieve surprise. If it masses its forces at a particular spot, Russia might detect those preparations and shore up its lines accordingly. That puts a premium on deception, notes Mick Ryan, a retired Australian major-general. Ukraine will have to conceal troop concentrations, headquarters and logistics hubs.
To date, Ukraine’s army has largely conducted sequential operations—first artillery fire, then a ground advance—rather than these more demanding co-ordinated ones, says Franz-Stefan Gady, a military analyst conducting fieldwork in the country. That is in part because ofand a lack of combined-arms training at scale, he says. Improving Ukraine’s command and control has been a priority for Western officials helping to train and advise Ukrainian generals in Germany over recent weeks.
Western officials familiar with Ukraine’s preparations are unsure how everything will pan out. It is vital, they say, that Ukrainian forces have the confidence to keep moving forward. Russia’s layered defences are designed to lure advancing columns into “kill zones” covered by pre-sighted artillery. If troops panic and freeze up, they could be decimated.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Indonesia’s nickel boom tests Western green sensibilitiesNickel is at the centre of Indonesia’s efforts to become a clean-energy superpower. But the industry highlights some uncomfortable trade-offs in the global battery business
Read more »
Pedro Pascal's new short Western confirms UK release with first-look imagesStrange Way of Life, the new western short film starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke, has confirmed a UK release along with the first images.
Read more »
Almost 45,000 migrants have entered UK since Rwanda deal was announced, analysis showsRishi Sunak has conceded that the issue of Channel crossings won't be solved 'overnight' as the UK marks one year since the landmark deal was agreed.
Read more »
Almost a year on, still no charges over explosion that rocked estate'I ran out my fiancée's and into the back garden of the flats to make sure the people were okay'
Read more »
Bellway to build almost 120 new homes on vacant landThe construction of almost 120 new homes on vacant land in Renfrew will begin next month, the developer has confirmed.
Read more »
House prices up almost 100 percent in 'friendly' area of NottsAnalysis of data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows house price percentage increases in three areas of the county were amongst the top 50 in the UK since 2013
Read more »