Giant Artillery Opens Fire As Russia Goes On The Attack In Donbas

Forbes ^ | 5-21 | David Axe

[dennisw]

Fighting has sharply escalated in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. Both sides are bringing in more and heavier artillery, adding to the carnage.

But it’s the Russians who have the biggest guns and mortars—and who are most willing to shoot indiscriminately. “In the coming weeks, Russia is likely to continue to rely heavily on massed artillery strikes as it attempts to regain momentum in its advance in the Donbas,” the U.K. Defence Ministry warned on Tuesday.

The Russian army for weeks has been trying to position forces for an operation it realistically can complete. Earlier in the war, the Kremlin’s aims were maximalist—capture Kyiv, advance across the Donbas and also cut off Ukraine from the Black Sea. But after the Russian army suffered heavy casualties in the abortive assault on Kyiv, Russian leaders pivoted.

Pulling its forces back from Kyiv and Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv, Russian leadership focused its efforts on Donbas. And not all of Donbas, but rather one small city: Severodonetsk, which anchors a pocket of Ukrainian forces south of Russian-occupied Izium and north of the town of Popasna.

Two or three Ukrainian brigades, together overseeing several thousand troops, defend Severodonetsk. If the Russians can encircle Severodonetsk, they might be able to starve then defeat the garrison.

After trying and failing to cross the Seversky Donets River northwest of Severodonetsk—and losing around 70 vehicles and as many as 400 troops in the process—the Russians focused their offensive on the southern side of the Severodonetsk pocket. On Thursday, Russian airborne battalions, reinforced by Wagner Group mercenaries, rolled north.

[CarolinaReaganFan]

as it attempts to regain momentum in its advance in the Donbas,” the U.K. Defence Ministry warned
—————————— -—————— -— — -—
that’s almost as funny as using forbes. LOL
.
momentum is huge due to the big breakout from Popasna.
L-chansk/Severo will be the next mariupol if Ukes don’t retreat.
oops - russians blew up the bridge from Severo to L-chansk.now some ukes are cut off with no retreat path. see link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM3ot_EAUF0

.
[ Ukraine SITREP ] Day 86 (20/5) Summary - Russian forces continue to gain grounds around Popasna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK2QQ8Apaj0

[MercyFlush]

I watched video this morning of a Soviet self-propelled mortar getting zotted by drone directed Ukrainian artillery. It was very satisfying to see the orc crew burning to death in the resulting inferno.

Hopefully the Soviets send more such easily killed targets to the battlefield.

[cgbg]

Some folks here remind me of the Japanese soldier that was still fighting years after the WW II was over—he did not want to let his Emperor down!

[Cathi]

Yes, it’s pretty bad when the NYT is surrendering...:-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35zWXuo1-eo

Interesting Duran video. NYT’s editorial staff is now suggesting that Biden and Zelensky give careful consideration to negotiating an agreement that cedes territory to Russia. It also states that the U.S. cannot continue to supply money and weapons.

I assume the very pronounced change of heart is likely based on concerns that the fact Ukraine is losing will make the mid-terms even harder for the Dems.

I don’t know how Biden and Zelensky will feel; but it appears the NYT is surrendering.

[Revel]

“But it’s the Russians who have the biggest guns and mortars—and who are most willing to shoot indiscriminately.”

most willing to shoot indiscriminately

LOL What nonsense.

[SoConPubbie]

Well that is true if you believe the Pro-Ukraine Propaganda.

[dpetty121263]

Think the Russians will just keep feeding the meat grinder as they can keep pushing conscripts into the battle and grind down the Ukrainians, simple mathematical problem.

[arthurus]

Russia is going to get its corridor cutting off Ukraine from ports and will take the Donbas. It is going to happen unless the USA enters the war with troops and aircraft. That would be courting nuclear exchange. It almost seems as if that is what the regime in DC desires.

[TexasFreeper2009]

at some point Ukraine needs to start attacking inside Russia.

[freeandfreezing]

I predict within 24 hours from now the “giant artillary” will be blown up.

It did not even take 24 hours

The Russians posted a video of one of their large mobile mortars, and then it was destroyed. Quite a massive secondary explosion at the end, it probably was not a good day to be in or even near that mobile mortar when it went off.

[freeandfreezing]

Interesting Duran video.

You do know that Mercouris is a Russian state media employee, right?

[BradyLS]

As with any skill set: practice, practice, practice...

[dennisw]

Great video THANKS! Yeah massive secondary explosion after the Rooskie big gun caught on fire under Ukie assault..

[blackberry1]

Putin won the war and accomplished their main objectives very early on. This is just the mop up operation. The west propaganda organs, like Hannity and the war channels lost the game and continue to pump fake war news as Russian secures the corridor to the Black Sea. Odessa is being bombed daily now and it’s just a matter of time before it too crumbles.

[Bonemaker]

We sent them anti artillery targeting radar. Let’s see how well it works.😀

[dennisw]

“at some point Ukraine needs to start attacking inside Russia.”

I think a Ukie priority is to make the Russian navy cut and run from the Northern Black Sea. Reports say Ukies will be getting anti-ship missiles from NATO etc. Might take a few months to be delivered.

[Robert DeLong]

You seem surprised, even though many of us have been telling Freepers supporting this war that they are not helping the Ukrainians and that this would eventually be the reality.

[dennisw]

Ukrainians will end up spitting on Pooty Toot’s grave. Pooty has at most 12 months before he croaks.

[Renfrew]

“I think a Ukie priority is to make the Russian navy cut and run from the Northern Black Sea. Reports say Ukies will be getting anti-ship missiles from NATO et”

The main limit on Ukraine is Putin can still win this war, but he needs 2 million more troops.

Right now a mass mobilization would upset the Russian people, but a large enough attack against the homeland and Putin may be able to get mass conscription.

[Kazan]

But it’s the Russians who have the biggest guns and mortars—and who are most willing to shoot indiscriminately. Totally horse manure. It's the DPR and LPR doing most of the frontline fighting to liberate their OWN territory.

Ukrainian nationalists and neo-Nazis hate the ethnically Russian population of Donbass, have sought to exterminate them for eight years and have repeatedly launched attacks on civilians as well as raped and looted the population.