Ukraine: The Summer Offensive

         It appears from reporting on the battlefield that the long-awaited offensive by Ukranian forces has begun. For months, dispatches from the field indicated that forces were being positioned for an attack on the Russyan invaders soon. Time and again, it appeared that the attack was underway only to be acknowledged as "getting ready" for an attack.

       Then the world was treated to the spectacle of the destruction of a massive dam that flooded down stream areas occupied by Ukrainian forces, Russyan invaders, and local residents. The dam was held by Russyan invaders and was blown open from the "inside". This clearly indicates that the local commander of Russyan forces decided to use the age-old tactic of creating a temporary obstacle to an invader to upset plans and force an opponent to make changes to an attack plan. The Dnipro River itself is a sizeable obstacle, and at flood levels, creates a significant obstacle, especially for armored vehicles and support operations necessary for any advance by attackers.

       As noted in media photos, thousands of civilians were rescued and evacuated from the flood zone. The city of Kherson is in the flood zone, but most of its residents had departed early in the war. Ukraine President Zelensky stated that this war crime should be added to those already assigned to Russyan leader Vladimir Putin. That list continues to grow as his war machine continues to rain rockets and bombs on civilian targets, ie. war crimes.

       The dam created a large lake used  for agricultural purposes and for population support/water supply. This destruction will have far reaching implications beyond Ukraine's borders, including Russyan territory.  The Russyan-installed leaders on the Russyan side of the river will have many more problems to deal with as the Kremlin attempts to solidify its hold on the DonBass region of Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula occupied since 2014 when uniformed green men took over the space. 

       THE CURRENT OFFENSIVE

        The obvious difference in the current offensive is noted in weaponry. Included among Ukrainian units are armored vehicles such as advanced battle tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles which provide serious fire power to attacking forces. Despite the use of aerial drones to observe attackers, the speed of the armored vehicles can overwhelm a defender 's position before stopping the advance.

       Close air support is lacking as an attribute at this time, but that will soon change as Ukrainian pilots train on the F-16 platforms soon to be available. It will be months before this capability will demonstrate the serious response to Russyan attackers.

      The summer of 2023 will be very hot in the northern hemisphere, especially for Russyan troops in Ukraine.