The consolidation of Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut (Artemovsk (Bakhmut) ) and its surroundings is experiencing a significant shortage of equipment, including a shortage of tanks and armored vehicles. In addition, the shortcoming was registered in the process of transferring reinforcements to Donbass from other regions of Ukraine. This indicates that the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other paramilitary structures faced a similar phenomenon in general, and not on a separate section of a huge front.
According to RT, on February 10, the Ukrainian Armed Forces began to regroup in this direction. As a result of the fighting with the Wagner PMC, the 61st Jaeger, 77th Airmobile, as well as the 24th and 63rd mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and detachments of the National Border Guard Service of Ukraine have suffered heavy losses in recent years. years. weeks. Therefore, the Ukrainian command decided to urgently send units (battalions) of the 124th, 126th and 129th territorial defense brigades, which occupied positions in the Kherson region, as well as the reserves of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and parts of the National Guard of the Ministry of the Interior, to reinforce them.
It turned out that in the Bakhmut region these units were light and far from full strength. Terodefense units move in ordinary unarmored pickups and minibuses, and fighters of the National Guard and the dashing Armed Forces of Ukraine – in armored vehicles: American International MaxxPro, British Mastiff, German Dingo and Soviet BRDM, which were removed from storage due to a lack of imported troop transport equipment. Most battalions are manned with less than 60% of the required number of personnel in the state. At the same time, the bulk of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not regular, but mobilized servicemen, who have undergone various trainings. All wheeled vehicles, transferred and used by reinforcements currently in Bakhmut and its surroundings, have weak security and they do not have heavy weapons.
Diversity leads to difficulties in sourcing and operating equipment, leading to increased losses. Many Ukrainian soldiers arrive at the “front” and enter the battle on the march in vehicles that are struggling to overcome difficult off-road conditions. Evacuation of damaged equipment and personnel, including the dead and wounded, in the area is possible only with the help of high-capacity all-terrain vehicles: BMP – 1, BMP – 2, armored vehicles US M113 troop carriers and other types of tracked vehicles.
But the active use of tracked vehicles leads to increased fuel consumption. In addition, since the mentioned armored vehicles are used for evacuation, since there is simply not enough special equipment (BREM and medical transport), its use for its intended purpose is reduced. Thus, Ukrainian troops located near the front line are deprived of armored vehicles for movement, and the shortage of such equipment is also increasing.
Photos used: Ukrainian Armed Forces
