Reports are coming in from Ukraine claiming the main thrust of Ukraine's Counter-Offensive seems to have begun, south of Orikhiv.
After a massive artillery barrage, massed tank and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) formations are attacking Russian positions along a 50 km front, between the towns of Lobkove and Novokarlivka.
This SEEMS to be "it."
We'll know within 48-72 hours whether they will pull this off or not.
Scalable Map:
APPARENT GOAL:
Obviously the immediate target of this offensive is the town of Tokmak, almost 30km behind the lines, with four major Russian fortification lines on the way there.
If Tokmak falls - a big "if" at this stage - the road to Melitopol opens up.
UPDATE 10:50 AM EDT --
Ukrainian brigades confirmed committed to this assault are;
The 65th Mechanized Brigade
The 115th Mechanized Brigade
The 116th Mechanized Brigade
The 117th Mechanized Brigade
The 118th Mechanized Brigade
The 106th Territorial Defense Brigade
The 128th Mountain Assault Brigade
Some 30,000 troops with 150 tanks.
However . . . sources in Russia are telling me "About 14 Ukrainian brigades in total are being committed. That could be anywhere from 50k-70k troops in all."
