BLAHODATNE, Ukraine — After months of preparation and bolstered by a whole lot of donated tanks, armored autos and howitzers, Ukraine has notched small successes within the first week and a half of a counteroffensive to drive Russian forces from southern Ukraine.
In fierce preventing on the plains, the navy mentioned it had damaged by means of a primary line of Russian defenses and reclaimed seven villages.
The fruits of their labor might be seen on a go to with the Ukrainian navy to a type of villages, Blahodatne, on Thursday — in addition to the daunting challenges that lie forward.
Ukraine has but to commit the majority of its reserves, together with troops skilled in Europe over the winter and spring, and outfitted with weaponry from NATO international locations, which means it could deliver nonetheless extra pressure to bear. But with every step ahead, its troopers grow to be extra susceptible — faraway from the protection of their very own trenches, nearer to Russian artillery, maneuvering by means of minefields and unprotected from airstrikes.
Ukraine is engaged in two important thrusts southward, the place it has damaged by means of most deeply within the string of small villages that features Blahodatne, the place the troopers had been diving for canopy on Thursday.
For Ukrainian troopers with the 68th Scout Brigade who entered the villages, the sweetness of liberating land was tempered by the panorama of spoil that greeted them and what got here subsequent: a relentless bombardment from Russian forces.
“They are attacking with rockets, howitzers, mortars, helicopters and drones,” Sgt. Serhiy Gubanov mentioned in an interview whereas taking cowl in a basement as explosions boomed exterior.
“It’s the complete collection of intense experiences,” he mentioned.
Maria Varenikova contributed reporting from Konstantinople, Ukraine.
Source: www.nytimes.com