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Ongoing Analysis Archive II

2023.06.06

Over the last two days, news came in which indicate that the Ukrainian summer offensive has begun. One attack vector seems to be located at Velika Novosilka, south-west of Donezk. In parallel, diversation attacks by Free Russia Army forces continue in the Belgorod area.

This morning, the Kakhova dam was destroyed, reportedly by an explosion in a power plant object. Water levels are rising in Kherson and on the Dnipro banks. The water from the Kakhova reservoir both serves as source for cooling water for the Zaporishshia NPP and for drinking water for much of the region.

Looking at the elevation of the lands on both sides of the river opens interesting questions which are not covered by the media yet. Here a map with a simulated 9m sea level rise which indicates how both sides might be affected. The height of the flood wave can be estimated to have a similar value on average. The reservoir has an average depth of 8.4m and contains a volume of 18.4 cubic km.

alt='Regional map with 9m of flooding'>

It is quite clear that the Russian-occupied left bank of the Dnipro is much more threatened by flooding than the right bank. Russia has built up some fortifications on the occupied side to protect against an Ukrainian landing. Depending on the height of the flood wave, Russian troops will have to be evacuated quickly from the area. Also, the canal transporting water to Crimea will become inoperative, just at the beginning of the summer. On the other hand, the region will become impassable for heavy equipment for quite some time, potentially blocking any Ukrainian landing operation. Also, the destruction of the dam might be part of a "scorched earth" strategy, both damaging Ukraine's infrastructure and creating explanations for military failures in the area.

It is void to speculate on who is responsible for the destruction of the dam. Reportedly caused by an explosion in Russian controlled parts of the dam, it might be an order from Putin or a local decision, possibly steered by disinformation. Also, it could have been caused by artillery, destroing the building or even igniting stored explosive materials.

Anyway, we believe it will force a fast Russian evacuation of the area. It is possible that Ukraine is able to profit, first landing light forces and then expanding bridgeheads as soon as the water levels fall. This might unravel the Zaporishshia frontlines from behind and cut Russian supply lines from Crimea. History is moving fast, again.

2023.05.15

In the past 3 months, the situation has, on the surface at least, only changed marginally. Russian forces now occupy almost all of Bakhmut. In Avdiivka, as in the other parts of the frontline, there was almost no movement. Ukraine has executed a number of long range strikes, Russia is still sending drones and longer range weapons against Ukrainian cities. Resource conflicts between the Wagner organisation and the Russian army are being reported.

Regarding the expected Ukrainian counter offensive, both cautioning and optimistic voices can be heard. The former point out that Ukraine needs to assemble more reserves and that Russia has prepared a number of defense lines, while the latter suggest Ukraine will again use surprise elements in its attack. Such surprise elements may be an attack on the flanks, eg in Luhansk, cutting off parts of the Donbas region, or a landing operation on the left bank of the Dnipro. In both locations, limited actions have been observed. In Bakhmut and surrounding areas, Ukraine has started to push back Russian forces which have limited ressources and are hindered by conflicts between Wagner and the Russian army.

The Ukrainian counter offensive is expected to contain a surprise factor. It is logical that the leadership keeps the decision on the place and time of the offensive secret as long as possible, with a number of alternative plans. Cutting off Russian forces by a pincer movement or by using geographical opportunities might lead to a large scale collapse, but the southern frontline has been fortified by the Russian army.

The timing depends on the weather, which is still cold and rainy as of today. This might push the counter offensive into late May or even June. Russia has started to "evacuate" parts of the population of the region, with rumours that occupation authorities in Melitopol prepare for evacuation by destroying documents.

2023.02.24

One year has passed since Russia attacked Ukraine. Ukraine has been able to push the invasors back both in the north (Kyiv), the north-east (Charkiv) and the west (Kherson). In the east, Luhansk and Donezk, Russia is progressing slowly in a meat-grinder offensive in Bakhmut and Avdiivka. Meanwhile, the West has moved from a position of very limited support to one of strong support, even with modern battle tanks. Ressources on both sides are wearing thin, though. Russia has reduced its artillery and long range attack numbers and Ukraine is conserving artillery ammunition, too.

Currently, there are very public discussions on Ukraine's spring offensive. Even official sources claim it will take part in the south east, with the goal to cut the land connection between Crimea and Donbass. While it has to be assumend that such announcements are part of an information war, it is highly probable that Ukraine will try to reach the Azov sea at some point. The land connection between the eastern Kherson region and Crimea rests on two places, Armjansk and Tschonhar. Therefore, that region might be put under siege in a similar way as western Kherson if the land connection to Crimea can be cut. Also, the Kerch bridge could be attacked again, further isolating Crimea.

The exact point of attack on the southern front line is more difficult to predict. Russia has created fortifications in the hinterland, but it is not clear how strong they are. An attack on two points at the same time is also thinkable, which could create a pocket where large numbers of Russian forces could be forced to capitulate. Of course, this could all be disinformation, with an Ukrainian attack further east, or a landing operation on Dnipro.

The most critical issue is what happens if Russia observes concentrations of Ukrainian forces preparing such offensives. The Russian leadership might be tempted to execute pre-emptive TNW strikes against such positions which would also destroy important rail and road links. Those strikes could also come at a later point, when it becomes clear that the frontline has been broken. The escalation and involvement of U.S. forces which would then follow might become uncontrollable. JCOT sees the highest danger of this in the June to August timeframe.

Interim analysis of strategic positions within Russia - 2023.01.10

Special JCOT analysts have come up with the question if certain elements on Russia's side share the same central objective as Putin. We would identify two such groupings, the Wagner forces and the Kadyrovski.

Wagner stands for a large part of the militarily active right-wing Russians, well connected with the political hard right in Russia. They have been observed to expand their influence, with Wagner-linked officers placed in command of the invasion army. Wagner forces are also those pushing towards Bakhmut (with high losses). Prigoshin might bet on a situation where he is successful at that front, whereas other fronts have crumbled or will crumble. This would give him a chance to gain power, possibly even replacing Putin. Therefore, his interest is to win locally around Bakhmut, with reduced interest in other fronts. Also, survival of a high number of officers is important, while soldiers, often ex-prisoners, do not count. Their death works as a bloody sacrifice to confirm allegiances within the organisation. The question is if the Wagnerites would dare to challenge Putin after a new Russian offensive will have failed, or if they simply will wait until the war is completely lost.

Kadyrov and his Chechen forces might have a completely different interest. For the time being, they need to be seen as loyal to Moscow. But Chechen history and their position in the center the northern Caucasus region imply that they would strive for regional suzerainty, maybe in the form of an independent Caucasian Federation, ruled by Kadyrov. For this, the Russian army would have to be crushed, losing the war, while Chechen and possibly allied forces would need to get sufficient battle experience without incurring high losses. The roles of Chechens in this war, as a kind of "military police" and as occupation forces, point to such a scenario. In a last, chaotic phase, their task would be to collect as many heavy and light arms as they are able, transporting it to depots in the Caucasus.

In any case, we do expect a phase of instability within Russia, as both soldiers returning from war and especially non-participant supporters of the war tend to have a high level of aggression after a lost war, ref. after WW I the "Freikorps" forces in Germany and the Russian civil war. After losing the war, Russia will become an even more dangerous region than it is now. This aggression might turn to the inside, destroying families and civil society, but could also be used by politicians of all kind to win power in civil or secession wars.

2023.01.08

The military situation has remained more or less unchanged since the Russian withdrawal from the western bank of Dnipro. Russian forces are slowly advancing towards Bakhmut and Soledar, and there has been fighting on islands and spits in the Dnipro delta. Russia has conducted a number of massive long range attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, but has now used up most of their Cruise Missiles, midrange rockets and Iranian drones. The attack freqency and the number of heavier systems used have gone down significantly. At the same time, Ukraine was able to attack troop concentrations and depots in the occupied territories, with e.g. a double strike on New Years eve. Also, as expected, traffic nodes around Crimea were attacked with HIMARS and similar systems.

Most significantly, France, the U.S. and Germany have agreed to deliver relatively modern Western Infantry Fighting Vehicles in larger numbers to Ukraine, as well as two modern Patriot systems, one from the US and one from Germany. Those deliveries and the required training will take time, though, arriving in the spring / summer timeframe.

Both sides claim to prepare for larger new offensives. Russia tries to appear like they will attack from Belarus, but this is still seen as a feint. The weather is remaining relatively warm, making a crossing of the swampy border region difficult. And the Belarusian army is not seen as able to take part in the war, especially as ammunitions and some systems have reportedly been transferred to the Russian army.

2022.11.11

Only two days after Russia's defense minister S. Shoigu announced the withdrawal from the region on the western bank of the river Dnipro, after Russian forces had been under pressure from Ukrainian forces and also suffered by a lack of supplies. Today, faster than expected by many, the withdrawal has been completed, with an unknown number of Russian soldiers captured during the final rout. Although this has been propagandistically prepared by Russia, it will add up to the long list of failures, putting additional stress towards the Russian war effort.

The expected further progress in the north east has not yet taken place. The situation there currently remains a stalemate, but with much higher Russian losses than in earlier months due to the insertion of untrained and badly equipped new recruits.

The new Ukrainian positions at the north western bank of Dnipro can be used to attack Russian supply lines on the eastern bank with artillery, although the access points to Crimea cannot yet be reached with standard artillery. MRLS systems could now be used to control those points, though. It is probable that Ukraine will repeat the successful tactics of the last months, trying to cut off the supply lines of major Russian forces to isolate them and force them to flee or surrender.

An open question is if Ukrainian forces will try to conquer a bridgehead at the eastern end of the Kakhova dam. A destruction of the dam will flood large parts of the eastern and also western bank of Dnipro.

We expect Ukraine to use the now unbound forces for concentrated attacks in less well protected areas of the frontline. Russia is expected to continue to attack in the Bakhmut area and other parts of the Donbass, wasting their ressources. Ukrainian landing operations on the eastern Dnipro bank could be used for distraction. Russian supply lines along the Azov sea are long and could be cut at several points, with Melitopol a key traffic node.

JCOT is not able to predict how intensively the conflict will continue during winter. In southern Ukraine, there is usually not enough cold to freeze the ground. In spite of this, we expect Ukraine to execute major operations as described above, but it will take time to assemble the necessary forces. We do not expect an attack from Belarus, though, as the Russian troops assembled there lack heavy equipment.

In our "Initial Analysis" , we distinguished between Russian "Consolidation", "Reinforcement" and "Shock Attack" options. The drone and rocket attacks plus the limited draft orders are part of a continued "Reinforcement" approach, while the Kherson rout led to the occupation area expected in the "Consolidation" scenario. The "Reinforcement" approach will continue to fail. Therefore it is still possible that Russia will use a "Shock Attack" approach with the goal to force Ukraine into a "Consolidation" armistice.

We now hold it for less probable that Russia would try to cut Ukraine's supply lines with such a "Shock Attack", but maybe it will be used against Ukrainian army concentrations on the southern frontline. A limited Nuclear attack might be combined with an armistice offer at the current front line. Ukraine must make sure that there are no such concentrations of forces which would lend themselves to such an attack.

2022.10.08

Today, the Kerch bridge connecting Crimea to Russia has been partly destroyed, with one lane destroyed and a fuel train on the railway track exploded. This will massively restrict transport to Crimea and is also a psychological blow to the Russian occupation forces.

Russia has now formally annexed the occupied territories, although larger areas in the Kherson region and the town of Lyman in the Donezk region have been liberated by Ukrainian forces. It is assumed that Ukraine will attempt continue its progress until the autumn rains make ground movement difficult. Russia is continuing to "steal" people from Ukraine - there are reports that school children from Kherson are being "evacuated" to Crimea, probably meant as a one way voyage.

The usage numbers of Iranian drones have risen, including drone swarm tactics. But attacks are mostly reported against civilian infrastructure targets, without much military value.

JCOT expects that Russian troops in the south west will be pushed back to the surroundings of Kherson city, and may be forced to retreat or capitulate there. Kherson is surrounded by rivers, canals and swamps which makes it easy to defend, and Ukraine would not be willing to destroy the city with artillery. In the east, we expect an attempt to encircle Sievierodonezk / Lysychansk from the north and east, also with the goal to break the Starobilsk supply line. Also, attacks on the Russian supply lines going through Mariupol and Melitopol are to be expected.

The discussions on nuclear arms usage have now reached the highest levels in the West, including the US President. JCOT analysis is ongoing as the situation is complex. In Russia, the pressure on Putin and his entourage is mounting. A coup or at least coup attempt might occur sooner or later, especially if Putin orders the preparation of a nuclear strike.

2022.09.21

The situation has changed rapidly since the last entry. Ukrainian forces have liberated most of Charkiv oblast, up to the Oskil river, crossing it at Kupiansk. Russian forces have been routed in the region, leaving back a high volume of arms and ammunition. In the Kherson region, progress has been much slower, but Russian troops west of the Dnipro are now more or less isolated after the destruction of the bridges and of ferries crossing the wide river.

Yesterday, Russia has announced referenda in the next few days in all of the occupied areas to prepare their annexation, and today Putin announced a partial mobilisation of 300'000 reservists, combined with threats of usage of nuclear arms. It seems that hardliners have successfully exerted pressure on Putin to escalate the war. Also, reports are coming in that the Iranian drones delivered to Russia are being used with some success. This will lead to more military pressure on Ukraine, but also probably to enhanced Western support.

Regarding the use of nuclear arms by Russia, JCOT sees the risk rising again. The partial mobilisation will raise internal pressure in Russia to end the war quickly - reservists are not as easily used as cannon fodder as DPR / LNR, provincial and penal "volunteers" are. Their losses will shake Russian society to its roots.

2022.09.08

In the last 2 weeks, a limited Ukrainian counter-offensive has started. As predicted in the 2022.06.30 entry, Ukraine has severely damaged all bridges over the Dnipro. In the region west of the Dnipro, Ukrainian forces have liberated some villages while focussing on disrupting Russian supply lines and splitting Russian battle groups. This has forced Russia to move troops into that region, opening other regions for Ukrainian operations. The town of Balakliia, south east of Charkiv, is now almost encircled by an Ukrainian surprise attack, with several villages in the vicinity already liberated. This attack also threatens Russian supply lines going through Kupyansk.

Also, due to the Ukrainain counter-offensive, the Russian annexation referendum of the Cherson / Zaporizhzhia region has been postponed. Ukrainian guerilla attacks on facilities linked to this are ongoing.

Russia is now reported to receive supplies from Iran (drones) and North Korea (artillery and ammunition). This is a sign of desperation. Financially, Russia is still in a comfortable position due to high fossil fuel prices.

As autumn and winter are now approaching quickly, we believe Ukraine is trying to reach positions from which they are able to use the seasons to their advantage. Units require more supplies in winter, but supply lines are more bound to roads and railroad lines when rain and snow make fields and forests impassable. This will create supply problems for the occupation forces and makes it also highly improbable that Belarusian forces would enter the war and open up a new front in the north. For Ukraine, one option is to try to break through at some point north of the Azov coastline, to come into artillery range of the coastal highway. This position would be difficult to hold, but could help to stop the flow of Russian supplies and troops.

2022.08.25

Two months later, the conflict is still deadlocked. Russian troops have progressed a bit in the Donetzk region, while Ukrainian forces have attacked a large number of Russian ammunition depots and also military and air force bases via undisclosed means. We assume that drones, long range artillery, local resistance forces and special commandos have been used. Most importantly, the 3 bridges over the Dnepr have been damaged. Although Russia is trying to repair them and use other means of transport over the river, it is probable that supply to the occupied territory around Kherson is now severely restricted.

Critical events are occurring around the Nuclear Power Plant in Zaporizhzhia. Today, Russia has cut the connection to the Ukrainian grid on a pretext. Currently there is only power supply via a heating plant and the local diesel generators. If power supply to the plant stops completely, the cores will melt quickly and an immeasureable catastrophe will occur.

2022.06.30

The war situation has only slowly changed in the past month. A cruel war of attrition is taking place, with between 100-200 fallen soldiers on each side per day. Ukraine has finally withdrawn from Sievierodonetzk and continues to be pushed back in the area, while managing not to leave troops enclosed in pockets like in Mariupol. In the Kherson region, Ukrainian forces have pushed back the invasor on some fronts, but not yet reached the boundaries of the city. One major success of Ukraine, partly due to Western long range weapon systems, was announced today, as the last suriviving Russian troops left Snake Island (Bile).

The main political issue of the following weeks will be the transport of Ukrainian wheat to the world markets via ship. Here the liberation of Snake Island might help.

From the view of the military, the critical factor is ammunition - Soviet calibre now almost used up, and the number of Western artillery systems not high enough to counter the Russian onslaught in Donbas. There might be some surprising action on Ukraine's side to extend their supply of Soviet ammunition. But in sum, Western military aid has not yet turned the situation into Ukraine's favour, especially in Donbas. We do not see the expected breakdown of Russian forces yet. It may yet come, depending on the efficiency of the delivered modern artillery systems. The Snake Island victory is a good sign.

Another target of those systems might be the two bridges and the dam crossing over the Dnepr, at Antonivka / Prydniprovske and Kosazke. Destroying them or making them inoperable for larger transport will efficiently break Russian supply lines for the Kherson area. Similar strategic chokepoints exist at the ends of the Crimea peninsula and through it the resupply lines to the Zaporizhzhia region.

Strangely, both Russia and Ukraine have not yet tried to turn their economies into "war economies" of the WW variant, although it is obvious that for both sides losing the war would be an existential threat (for Russia, at least for the Putin nomenklatura). The intensive exchange between Ukraine and the West should make sure there will not be a "sudden death" like breakdown of Ukraine - supply programs will be ramped up in case of emergency.

For Russia, one target line could be the occupation of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk and Bakhmut in Donbas. But even if they succeed here, it will take two months at least. This is in line with the announced 2022.09.11 "referendum" planned to annex the DNR / LNR and maybe other regions. Assuming though that Russian forces will be put under severe pressure west of the Dnepr and possibly in Zaporizhzhia oblast by that time, if not outright driven away, these referendums might be postponed.

We currently estimate the risk of a nuclear attack on Ukraine as not very high. The flow of western arms is not strong enough to really impress the Russian command, while the potential reaction of NATO, soon to be strengthened by Sweden and Finland, must be expected to be robust. As long as Russian forces advance in Donbas, it would not be "necessary" in Russiah ♪ ♪