24 Mar: Russians started using 76-year-old tanks - Reporting from Ukraine

[TexasTowelie]

Day 394: March 24

Last time I told you that Russian forces failed to develop their initial success in the village of Stepove and encircle Avdiivka because they did not reinforce their assault units on time. I also told you that Ukrainians eliminated the Russian bridgehead completely and forced them to retreat across the rails.

The freshest reports finally gave more details about the situation in this part of the region. As a result of the counterattack, Ukrainians reestablished control over the railway station and used it to counter Russian attempts to get close to the rails. Russian forces are reportedly conducting attacks by first approaching this hamlet north of the tree line and then trying to hit Ukrainians from the flank. But as of now, the intensity of their attacks here has decreased, and the situation here stabilized.

However, Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russians once again switched to attacking Novokalynove and Novobakhmutivka. Some Russian sources also claimed that Russian forces successfully distracted Ukrainians with their attacks on Stepove, which allowed them to breach 2 out of 3 remaining Ukrainian positions in Novobakhmutivka. For context, the Battle for Novobakhmutivka started on 3rd April last year, and Ukrainians have been holding off Russian advances here for 355 days. So, Novobakhmutivka is a very powerful fortification, and it is possible that Russians would make such a costly move to try to breach the Ukrainian defense here.

When it comes to the southern part of the region, today also, more information became available on the previous Russian attack from Vodiane. It turns out that Russians used at least twice as many tanks and armored vehicles in their failed attempt. As seen from the newly available footage, Ukrainian forces started destroying Russian tank unit with their ATGMs when Russians barely managed to exit Vodiane. The first tank got destroyed in front of the last buildings in the northern part of Vodiane. At least 4 vehicles managed to cross the field and start moving toward the hill. But they were destroyed so quickly that by the time the fourth vehicle arrived, two tanks were already destroyed, and the third started retreating. However, it was too late, the vehicle got damaged, and the crew ran away seconds before the shells inside the tank detonated.

Interestingly, Russian forces started deploying 76-year-old World War 2 Era T-54 and T-55 tanks from long-term storage to compensate for significant armored vehicle losses. These tanks lack the armor capabilities of modern armored equipment, have a smaller gun, no stabilization, no fire control system, and no panoramic sight. Although some sources said that they underwent a process of modernization and were at least equipped with thermal cameras. Some argued that the goal might be to achieve a preferable attrition rate by dropping the cost of the tanks below the costs of the anti-tank guided missiles, but the prospect seems highly doubtful.

Simultaneously, Russian forces are introducing some structural changes. Russian command reformed 9th Separate Marine Assault Regiment into the 9th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade. The Russian military is also reactivating brigades from the World War II era, such as the Red Army‘s Motorized Rifle Brigades. Such force generation methods suggest that the Russian military command is prioritizing the formation of motorized infantry units as opposed to reconstituting full tank units. This is a clear indicator that the Russian military lacks the tanks needed to rebuild tank units.

Overall, the failure of the Russian forces to conduct maneuver warfare properly and provide sufficient artillery support to suppress Ukrainian firing points and provide sufficient engineering reconnaissance continues to lead to substantial losses in tanks and armored vehicles. Due to the sheer lack of available equipment, the Russian military is forced to form motorized infantry units instead of tank units because they require fewer tanks to meet the standard. The deployment of the World War 2 Era tanks will further degrade Russian forces and will put significant limitations on Russian offensive capabilities.

[ThoughtCriminal]

1. Ukraine also got some old T-55 tanks

They have upgraded armor and targeting electronics, plus a NATO 105mm gun.