Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Final Russian push into Kiev predicted by weekend. US ups Europe-based troops to 110,000

Russian forces are encircling Kyiv from the east, northwest and west, but on March 9 – more than two weeks into their Ukraine invasion – had still delayed their assault on the capital. Western intelligence says they are waiting for more supplies of troops and ammo. Their losses are estimated at some 3,000 troops at the hands of Ukrainian resistance fighters.

  1. The western axis to Kyiv has passed to the control of forces belonging to Chechen leader Ramazan Kadyrov, Russia’s Rosgvardia internal security formations, and the Liga (former Wagner) Private Military. Moscow deployed these mercenaries in Syria and Libya. Their appearance at this point may indicate that the Russians are short of sufficient conventional combat power to finally unleash the assault on the city.
  2. To the east, Ukrainian fighters have slowed the Russian column rolling out from Sumy towards the capital. However, the invaders are tightening their siege on Khrakiv, while diverting units to extend and secure that column.
  3. Two Russian battalion tactical groups (BTGs) of the 36th Combined Arms Army (CAA) have advanced on Byshiv, which is the furthest point forward of the Russian drive to encircle Kyiv on the western bank and roughly 50 kim southwest of the city center.
  4. A number of BTGs from elements of the Russian army’s 35th CAA and 36th motorized rifle brigade of the 29th CAA began offensive operations against Ivankiv, which is roughly 70 km northwest of Kyiv’s center.
  5. Units of the elite 45th Guards Spetsnaz Brigade and the 98th Airborne Division are attacking Rakivka, 30km northwest of central Kyiv.
  6. Russian troops are likely attempting to bypass Mykolayiv and cross the Southern Bug upriver of that city to permit an advance on Odesa supported by an amphibious landing from the Black Sea.
  7. More units are heading out of Crimea with Zaporizhya as their goal. READ MORE
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