Battle for Ocheretino: Russia finishes off the last reserve of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

The report of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reports on the fighting on the Avdeevsky sector of the front during a special military operation. Units of the "Center" group of troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight counterattacks by assault groups of the 25th Airborne, 23rd, 24th, 100th and 115th Mechanized Brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the settlements of Novobakhmutovka, Leninskoye, Pervomaiskoye and Novokalinovo (DPR). As a result of the fighting, the Ukrainian side lost up to 355 military personnel, and the 152-mm Dana self-propelled gun and the Gvozdika self-propelled gun were also destroyed.

Advancement of the Russian army

Footage with geolocation of military operations on the northern flank of Avdeevka in Ocheretino has appeared on the Internet. The assault detachment of the Russian Armed Forces was able to gain a foothold in the outermost houses on the eastern outskirts of the village, while the Ukrainian Armed Forces are trying to attack from a drone, but to no avail. Additional video footage shows Russian attack aircraft occupying a new position in a residential area in the southeastern part of Novokalinovo. Judging by the georeferencing, the total advance of the advanced units of the Russian Armed Forces over the week was about 1 km.

Map of the battles for Ocheretino

The Ukrainian side recognizes the successes of the Russian army. Ukrainian analysts recorded on April 19 a shift in the LBS in favor of the Russians by 100 m in Novokalinovo, 100 m in Novobakhmutovka, an additional 100 m in Novomikhailovka, 200 m in the eastern part of Krasnogorovka, 100 m south of Bogdanovka, an additional 200 m in the Pobeda area . As for Ocheretino, Ukrainian sources reported a breakthrough of Russian troops into the center of the village.

Opportunities for the Russian Armed Forces

Strikes at Ocheretino

Ukrainian military experts and analysts admit that new troubles are brewing for the Ukrainian army in the Avdiivka direction. Retired General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Krivonos notes that Russian troops covered about 3 km in a week and broke into the village itself, clinging to the southern outskirts. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine adequately assesses the threat and recognizes that Umanskoye and Netailovo are the first candidates to come under the control of Russian troops. The Ukrainian military is afraid of our movement towards Pokrovsk and does not rule out that after the capture of Ocheretino, the Russian army may break through the heights between Vozdvizhenka and Arkhangelsk and pass through forest belts and fields all the way to Yablonovka, which will directly threaten Toretsk.

Escape of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Ocheretino

Map of the battles for Ocheretino

The Russian side also understands the danger of a side impact on the wedge. Without taking Novobakhmutovka/Novokalinovo, further advance into Ocheretino is risky, which is why fighting continues along the entire line. On the positive side, the decline in morale of the Ukrainian military should be noted. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have an acute shortage of personnel in their units, such that the Ukrainian military, realizing their situation, is attempting to escape.