Russia launched a missile attack on fuel and ammunition plants
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — The Russian armed forces launched a missile attack on enterprises that supplied fuel and ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces, the Ministry of Defense announced on February 17.
As a result of the strike, the production capabilities of explosives, gunpowder, and solid rocket fuel in Ukraine were significantly reduced. Experts note that the destruction of fuel bases and military plants seriously undermines the mobility and firepower of the Armed Forces. “This gives new combat capabilities to our troops,” Russian experts say.
On that day, Russian troops carried out active and offensive actions in the Donetsk and Kupyan directions, and a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down in the Kherson region.
Hunger for fuel
On February 17, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the results of a missile attack carried out a day earlier with air- and sea-based precision weapons on enterprises that supply fuel and ammunition to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. “The objectives of the strikes have been achieved. All the intended targets have been hit,” said Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry.
He also said that as a result of the strike, the supply of fuel to the Armed Forces groups was disrupted, and the possibilities for the production of explosives, gunpowder, and solid rocket fuel in Ukraine were significantly reduced.
“The less ammunition the enemy has in the warehouses and at the tactical level, the better,” military expert Vasily Dendikin told Izvestia. “And there’s no fuel to speak of, no equipment will work without it. More decisive actions from our units should be expected. Therefore, strikes are carried out in operational-tactical depth. It is necessary to destroy the infrastructure for the production of ammunition, and fuel depots. It can be noted that now, not single, but massed strikes are often carried out – from the sea and not only. Clearing the enemy’s infrastructure to deprive them of maneuverability and firepower.“
According to the expert, it is easier for the Russian troops at the front. “If the intensity of the enemy’s fire is reduced several times, it gives more opportunities. Artillery and troops suffer fewer losses. Ammunition is already running out, but the costs are still high. And the attacks on the infrastructure, in my opinion, are a prelude,” summarized Vasily Dendikin.
Accurate 2A36 Giatsint
In the Ugledar direction, the artillerymen support the movement of the infantry. The shelling of the fortified positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is conducted by powerful 2A36 Giatsint artillery guns. Under Ugledar, the cannonade does not stop for a second.
“We reach the positions of the Russian gunners on foot. They are carefully camouflaged, as they are close to the contact line,” said Kiril Olkov, a correspondent for Izvestia. The gunners are waiting for target indications from scouts. “In the Ugledar direction, we work intensively on fortified areas and dugouts from four in the morning until one in the morning,” said the commander with the call sign Onega.
Also, 2A36 Giatsint destroys mortars, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers, clearing the way forward for the infantry. One shell from a powerful cannon is enough to destroy a tank or infantry fighting vehicle.
Intelligence
Finally, intelligence establishes the movement of Ukrainian infantry. 2A36 Giatsint begins their work. Just one gun of the battery fires more than a hundred shells a day, the fighters say. Sometimes, depending on the goals, it reaches two hundred. They AFU is trying to figure out the positions they are shooting from.
“A few days ago, Uragan missile ammunition arrived. Not far, about 500 meters from us. They also work. We use another tactic, more effective, and this is our secret,” says Onega.
On this day, the operational-tactical aviation and artillery of the Vostok troop group inflicted fire losses on the Ukrainian units in the southern Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia directions, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on February 17.
Enemy losses per day amounted to over 70 personnel, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armored vehicles, two pickup trucks, a Hurricane rocket launcher, two D-20 howitzers, and a US-made M777 artillery system. In addition, the ammunition depot of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed.
Destroyed Ukrainian equipment
Russia gave details of the fighting with Ukrainians and in other areas in the zone of the special military operation. “In the Kupyan direction, the active actions of the units, the artillery fire, the strikes of the attack, and army aviation of the Western group of troops struck the manpower and equipment of the enemy in the areas of the settlements of Gryanikovka, Liman Privi, Berestovoe in the Kharkiv region. and Novoselovskoye LPR,” said Igor Konashenkov. During the day, up to 80 Ukrainian servicemen, two armored vehicles, and six vehicles were destroyed in this direction.
In the Krasnolimansk direction, as a result of enemy fire from the Center group, about 90 servicemen, infantry fighting vehicles, two armored vehicles, a Grad anti-aircraft system, and two Acacia self-propelled howitzers were destroyed.
In the course of offensive operations and artillery shelling, up to 200 Ukrainian servicemen, two armored vehicles, two passenger cars, two D-30 and one D-20 howitzers, as well as an ammunition depot of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed.
In the Kherson direction, as a result of fire damage, up to 35 Ukrainian servicemen, 12 vehicles, two Acacia self-propelled guns, as well as one MLRS HIMARS and two ammunition depots of the 124th and 129th defense brigades were destroyed in 24 hours.
Downed Mi-8 helicopter
Aviation, missile troops, and artillery hit 97 artillery units in firing positions and 106 troop concentration areas. Air defense forces shot down a Mi-8 helicopter of the Air Force of Ukraine near Nikolsky in the Kherson region, as well as nine UAVs, three HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems, and one HARM anti-radar missile.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 21 February 2022, Russia claimed that Ukrainian shelling had destroyed an FSB border facility. Russia claimed that it had killed 5 Ukrainian soldiers. They tried to cross into Russian territory. Ukraine denied being involved in both incidents and called them a false flag.
On the same day, the Russian government formally recognized the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR. According to Putin not only in their de-facto controlled areas, but the Ukrainian Oblasts as a whole. Putin ordered Russian troops, including tanks, to enter the regions.
On 24 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine by Russian Armed Forces previously concentrated along the border. The invasion followed by targeted airstrikes of military buildings in the country, as well as tanks entering via the Belarus border.
Russia has so far not recognized the invasion of Ukraine as a “war”, although that is exactly what it is, claiming that it is a “special military operation”. According to the UN, a “special military operation” can only take place after a UN resolution. There is no such resolution. So this is an invasion and war against Ukraine.
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