The battle for the town of Vugledar in the Donetsk region was seen as the initial step in the spring offensive of the invaders. This is stated in the material of The New York Times, published on February 15.
But the Russians' failures at the front raised questions about Russia's military tactics and renewed doubts about its ability to launch a full-scale offensive at the front, the article says.
In just one week near Vugledar, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia lost at least 130 units of armored vehicles, including 36 tanks.
In addition, in Vugledar, the Russians faced another problem - the HIMARS surface-to-air missile, The New York Times noted. The Russian command was forced to place large concentrations of forces more than 80 km from the front. This made it difficult to attack "quickly or suddenly".
In recent weeks, Moscow has sent "tens of thousands of servicemen" to the front lines, many of whom were inexperienced recruits. In this way, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to demonstrate progress on the eve of the anniversary of his invasion on February 24. Such actions cause "additional doubts", according to the material.
As for Russia's offensive capabilities, Western officials estimate that most of the Russian army is already fighting in Ukraine, writes The New York Times. British Defense Minister Ben Wallace stated that 97% of the Russian army is in Ukraine, and the attempt by the Russian Federation to advance on the front in the war against Ukraine "cost the Russian army dearly".
At the same time, the battles for Vugledar also "cost a lot" to Ukraine both in terms of casualties and the amount of ammunition, The New York Times added.
We will remind you that the General Staff of the Armed Forces regularly reports this winter that the enemy has concentrated its efforts in several directions in the Donetsk region and is suffering significant losses there.
The Russian occupiers are actively conducting assault operations in the Ughledar direction, but they have a shortage of ammunition, said Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi, the spokesman of the United Press Center of the Defense Forces of the Tauri direction. Also, according to him, over the past week, Russian troops have lost 130 units of military equipment in this direction, of which 36 are tanks.
CNN also reported that according to a video released by the Ukrainian military and analyzed by military experts and a TV channel, at least 20 Russian tanks and BMPs were disabled or destroyed near Vugledar in a few days. Satellite images show intense strikes along the forest areas where Russian tanks were trying to advance.
Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar reported on February 15 that the losses in some units of the occupiers are up to 80%.