Ukraine ramps up pressure on southern front and Crimea as it waits for US Abrams tanks

He Ukrainian army This is Increased pressure on the southern frontEspecially in the region Zaporozhyeand in the annexed peninsula CrimeaAwaiting arrival The first batch of American Abrams tanks.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has returned from his tour of the United States and Canada, where he received Two military aid packages worth more than $800 million and Canadian combat instructors F-16.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin plans to increase defense spending by two-thirds by 2024, according to next year’s draft budget.

After months of waiting, the President of the United States, Joe BidenAbrams promised to visit Ukraine next week.

According to the head of Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR), Kirilo BudanovArmy It has no intention of using them in its current counterattack configurationBecause they are armed Easy prey for suicide drones and mines.

He also explained that after suffering a severe setback at the start of the current offensive in June, Kyiv had learned its lesson, so now motorized units are only used to transport or evacuate troops.

“Abrams must be used to it Very specific and well prepared activitiesGiven that If you put them on the frontline they won’t survive the battlefield “For a long time,” he highlighted.

The long-awaited long-range missiles were not officially included in the US aid package ATACMSChain NBC Biden reportedly guaranteed Zelensky “a small amount,” without specifying a time frame.

The ATACMS has a range of about 300 kilometers, about 64 kilometers longer than the French SCALP missiles and the English Storm Shadow.

Although the media noted that the ATACMS that Kyiv will receive will present some modifications, these missiles will allow them to attack the Russian rear.

In case of any doubt, the Tavria Task Force Commander, Oleksandr TarnovskyHe clarified in statements to cnn “Minimum Scope” of Counterattack DogmacA strategic fortress allows for an attack against its conquest MelitopolMain city in the south of Zaporizhia.

Melitopol, one of the symbols of Russian occupation, was the gateway to the advance towards the Crimean border.

Senior Ukrainian commanders insist that “general winter”, meaning mud and snow, should not be an insurmountable problem as their units advance on foot with the help of demining units.

Tarnovsky also highlighted that Ukrainian forces were able to drive a wedge into Russian defenses VerbovIt has been occupied by the enemy since the start of the campaign in February 2022, although the extent of progress is unknown.

“The important thing is not to lose the initiative,” he said.

In his meeting with the American press, Zelensky announced that he wanted to evacuate Kiev Bagmuth (Donetsk) and “Two More Cities”But he declined to specify what he was referring to.

Moscow would have sent Ukrainian troops to prevent Ukrainian troops from setting foot in Dokmok, home to more than 30,000 people before the war. 10,000 soldiers As reinforcement for the area Robotine.

As the Ukrainian army advances toward the Sea of ​​Azov, it does not lose sight of Crimea. An almost daily scene of attacks Over the past few weeks, more courage each time.

Port authorities SevastopolThe headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet had to stop sea traffic today because of this Ukrainian missile threatOne of its fragments fell near a dock north of the city on Saturday.

The port of Crimea was already subject to inspection on Friday Ukrainian missile attack on the headquarters of the General Staff of the Black Sea FleetWhose building was damaged?

In this regard, Budanov has committed to that action today At least nine people died and 16 were injuredThis includes Two generalsIncluding Alexander RomanchukThe commander of the Russian forces in Zaporizhia, Yar “very serious”.

Spokesman of the Southern Command of the Ukrainian Army, Natalia Kumenyuk“There are many such motives,” warned Moscow.

“They will have more and more surprises. And they don’t have any medicine against it,” he said.

(with information from EFE)