Russians step up offensive along entire front line, Ukrainian forces in active defence
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has reported that following a change in weather conditions, Russian forces have intensified their offensive operations along virtually the entire 1,200-km contact line. Ukrainian troops are engaged in active defence.
Source: Syrskyi on social media
Quote: "The Russian aggressor is suffering significant losses but has not abandoned its plans to seize Ukraine. Our main tasks are therefore to destroy the enemy, stop its advance, strike Russian rear areas including deep inside their territory and protect the skies above our cities and towns."
Details: Syrskyi said that the Armed Forces must seize the strategic initiative and are therefore engaged in active defence. As a result, Ukrainian defenders recovered control over nearly 50 sq km of Russian-occupied territory in March.
"We counter Russian quantity with Ukrainian quality of combat operations, forcing the adversary to fight on our terms and constantly pushing back the deadlines for completing their objectives," Syrskyi stated.
The сommander-in-сhief noted that in order to degrade Russia's offensive capabilities, Ukrainian forces are maintaining a high tempo of strikes against military sites, facilities belonging to Russia's military-industrial complex, and other assets on Russian territory that support their operations.
He stated that in March, 76 such assets were struck using Deep Strike capabilities, 15 of which were oil refinery facilities.
After receiving a report from the Ukrainian Support Forces Command, Syrskyi also emphasised that it is necessary to intensify work on engineering obstacles and fortifications.
"A new solution in the conditions of today's 'drone war' is the construction of sunken (dug-in) routes for the movement of military equipment and personnel. The Air Assault Forces are setting the example of how this should be done," Syrskyi said, referring to engineered movement paths built below ground level or cut into terrain to shield military vehicles and personnel from drone surveillance and strikes and to reduce the chance of them being exposed during movement.
In addition, Syrskyi heard reports on the state of mobilisation and recruitment, logistical support, fortification of defensive lines, preparation and restoration of the combat capability of units and the maintenance of law and order within the Armed Forces.
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