Ukrainian military commander: frontline dynamics shift as Russians intensify efforts across all fronts

Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group, believes that the situation at the front has not yet reached a stalemate, but admits that the situation is difficult. Russian troops have become more active along the entire front, they want to capture at least Avdiivka by the end of the year, and Marinka has been destroyed.

Source: Tarnavskyi in an interview with BBC Ukraine, given online

Quote: "The situation on our front is tense and complex. The enemy has intensified its actions along almost the entire contact line. We understand their strategic goal is the elimination of Ukrainian statehood.

Therefore, the Russian leadership aims to realise all these intentions by the end of this year. At a minimum, this includes the capture of the town of Avdiivka. A more ambitious goal is to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and seize territories lost by the Russians during our offensive operations on the Zaporizhzhia front."

Details: Tarnavskyi confirms that the Russians consistently send reinforcements to Avdiivka, while Ukrainian forces are manoeuvring with their units and divisions.

"The onslaught, operating today both from the north and south of Avdiivka, is impossible to sustain with just one military unit. The situation is constantly changing, both positively and negatively. In negative situations, we respond as much as we can with units, divisions, and directly with the means we have today," he explained.

Tarnavskyi said that the Russians in Avdiivka could have achieved better results with their forces and resources, but Ukrainian soldiers are actively engaged in defensive operations: "We not only defend the territory, but we also immediately react to regain the lost terrain."

"But there are objective and subjective reasons. If you stay in an open field, there is an opportunity to preserve personnel and equipment by taking a step back or to the side, draw the enemy into a trap, and then return to the previous position," explained Tarnavskyi.

Regarding Marinka, the Ukrainian commander stated that Ukrainians defend their land, not "through stubbornness or the killing of our personnel, but through skilful actions – manoeuvring, firepower, movement, and deceiving the enemy". Tarnavskyi emphasised that the most important thing is to preserve personnel, not to stand "at any cost".

Tarnavskyi noted that the Russians have practically wiped Marinka off the map because the battles for the town had been ongoing for two years. On the other hand, in Avdiivka, the Russians are not so eager to enter; they want to bypass it to avoid city battles, as it would further complicate their problems, similar to what happened in Bakhmut. In Robotyne, the Russians are attempting to regain positions.

Quote: "The complexity lies in the fact that today the enemy has intensified [its actions – ed.] across the entire front and directly within my operational zone. Somewhere, they have identified the main direction of attack, while elsewhere, they are creating diversions.

So, regarding Avdiivka – it is the front of their main strike. Marinka is a different front. Novomykhailivka, for example, serves as a diversionary front. The Novopavlivka front also has its purpose.

What about Robotyne? It is the area where the enemy had losses in territory. Today, they are exerting pressure and conducting active assault operations. However, during the enemy's advance on any front, believe me, there are both positive and negative consequences for them. They are trying to achieve success, and for us, it is crucial to hold our ground and provide a clear resistance."

Details: Tarnavsky stated that in his sector, Ukrainian defenders were engaged in defensive operations, but in some areas, they conducted offensive operations and then transitioned to defence: "However, this is about 15, 20, 30 per cent. On the rest of the sectors, we are actively conducting assault operations."

Asked if the situation on the front had reached a stalemate, Tarnavskyi replied, "I think not yet. As of today, it has precise logistical outcomes."

Background: In November, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, said that the situation at the front has reached a stalemate, when neither side can advance because they are technologically equipped at the same level. At the end of the year, he said that 90% of the solutions in this regard have already been found, but Russia is not lagging behind in terms of technological equipment.

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