Ukrainian Troop Positions Spark Counteroffensive Speculation; Leaked Intel: Ukraine Postponed Attacks Inside Russia Due To US Pressure; ISW: ‘Exhausted’ Troops, ‘disorganized’ Deployment Will Likely Hinder Russia’s Prospects of Holding Critical Frontline Areas; UKR Forces Establish a Foothold Along Dnipro River, LIVE UPDATES and MORE

By admin On Apr 27, 2023

Ukrainian troop positions spark counteroffensive speculation:

Ukrainian military forces have successfully established positions on the eastern side of the Dnieper River, according to a new analysis, giving rise to speculation Sunday that the advances could be an early sign of Kyiv’s long-awaited spring counteroffensive.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, reported late Saturday that geolocated footage from pro-Kremlin military bloggers indicated that Ukrainian troops had established a foothold near the town of Oleshky, along with “stable supply lines” to their positions.

Analysts widely believe that if Ukraine goes ahead with a spring counteroffensive, a major goal would be to break through the land corridor between Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula, which would necessitate crossing the Dnieper River in the country’s south.

Responding to Ukrainian media reports proclaiming that the establishment of such positions indicated the counteroffensive had begun, Natalia Humeniuk, the spokeswoman for Ukraine’s Operational Command South, called for patience.

While neither confirming nor denying the ISW report, she said only that details of military operations in the Dnieper delta couldn’t be disclosed for operational and security reasons. —>READ MORE HERE

Ukraine Postponed Attacks Inside Russia Due To US Pressure: Leaked Intel

The Washington Post reported Monday that Ukraine’s military intelligence directorate, known as HUR, was planning major strikes inside Russia in February that were postponed due to US pressure.

The report cited documents allegedly leaked by Airman Jack Teixeira. According to a report from the National Security Agency, HUR chief Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov instructed one officer “to get ready for mass strikes on 24 February … with everything the HUR had.” The date marked one year since Russia launched its invasion.

The US became aware of Budanov’s plans as it has been spying on Ukrainian officials. According to a CIA report dated February 22, the HUR had “agreed, at Washington’s request, to postpone strikes.” The Post said it wasn’t clear from the documents how the US pressured Kyiv to push back the operations.

Throughout the war, Ukraine has launched small drone attacks and conducted other sabotage operations inside Russia. It’s not clear what Budanov meant by “mass strikes.” One plan mentioned by the Post was using TNT to attack the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk. —>READ MORE HERE

Follow links below to +++++relevant+++++ and related stories:

+++++Russia-Ukraine News LATEST UPDATES: (REUTERS) (AP) (NY POST) and (WSJ)+++++

+++++ISW: ‘Exhausted’ troops, ‘disorganized’ deployment will likely hinder Russia’s prospects of holding critical frontline areas in Ukraine+++++

+++++Ukrainian forces establish a foothold along Dnipro River as speculation mounts over spring counteroffensive: report+++++

Ukrainian Forces Recapture Land Across Key River in South, Think Tank Says

Russia by fall won’t be able to build up even a third of pre-invasion missile stockpile

Russia Says Drone Boats Attack Black Sea Fleet in Crimea

Prigozhin says Wagnerites will no longer take prisoners

Russian state media: Drone with explosives falls near Moscow

Russia ‘will not forgive’ after claiming US barred journalist visas

Ukrainian border guards make weekend unforgettable for 24 occupiers in Bakhmut

General Staff reports shootout between Wagner and regular Russian soldiers in Luhansk Oblast