Kherson Counteroffensive 2022 - War Archive Reaction

[00:00:00]Welcome back everyone. Looks like we have another War Archive video to react to today. This is called Ker counter offensive. Counter offensive.

[00:00:09]Um, counteroffensive is usually when the defender pushes back. So, I'm wondering if this is a Ukraine counter offensive.

[00:00:18]I think I did a little bit of geography prior to this video just to get my bearings. So it looks like this is very close to um Crimea on the Black Sea at least in terms of orientation of the country.

[00:00:32]It's in the south. Uh very similar to Mariple Mariple where we were in that last video. Anyway, let's jump right in.

[00:00:43]Okay, sorry. This video is based on information from Okay, it's the early morning of August 29th, 2022. In the occupied city of Kon >> which is currently under the control of Russian troops a >> okay of JMR guided missiles strikes the command post of the Russian military.

[00:01:04]>> Oh so the Ukrainians are pushing >> the munition and vehicle depots in Berislav located on the territory of the machine building plant are under a similar strike as well as military objects in Havka and Lova which were most likely the places of troops concentrations.

[00:01:22]Ukrainian missiles also pound the Kahov Kadam bridge. Such strikes that aimed to isolate Russians on the right bank of the Nepro River were quite common during July and August and significantly degraded the main Russian supply lines through Anton Kakar and train bridges.

[00:01:40]However, the strikes on August 29th are abnormally numerous because on this day, Ukraine begins its major counter offensive to retake the city of Keron and sweep the only Russian lodgement area on the right bank of the Nero River.

[00:01:55]>> All right, let's see how they do.

[00:01:59]>> But first, let's briefly touch on the events that preceded the first Ukrainian major counter offensive. On February 24th, 2022, Russians attacked Ukraine from the south, entering through a next Crimean Peninsula. Without a doubt, from the first hours of the invasion, the situation on this particular theater was critical for Ukrainians. Due to either sabotage or incompetence, most likely both. Russians quickly advanced on the land part of Ukraine, meeting only disorganized resistance. following three main directions of attack in >> of course the right direction isn't that to connect to to Russia and that was Mariple I keep saying that in a weird way Mariple uh and then I'm guessing Carson is on the Nepro on the left forces reached their first key objectives in the first weeks of the attacks securing bridges across Nepro River the city of Kon Novaka Hovka and the Narodar as well as fishing Marupople on the East Molak was also almost encircled after Russians expanded their bridge head near Carson. However, by the end of March, logistical issues and the reorganization of Ukrainian armed forces halted further Russian advance. They were repelled from Mikolaf, but maintained control over Carson and the quite significant lodgement area on the right bank of Nipper River. During the summer of 2022, the front line here more or less stabilized as Russians organized the defenses along the Inholet River and the network of small irrigation canals.

[00:03:33]>> So they've maintained Michael uh in terms of like the Ukrainians. Okay.

[00:03:39]>> For now, both sides struggle to advance across plain fields surrounding the city of Carson and only small villages occasionally change hands over the course of the summer. However, this is about to change. Understanding that they have limited time until the second half of the fall brings >> Jeez, that's some mud >> rains that will turn solid ground into mud. The Ukrainian command accumulates significant forces around the Russian positions here in August. They appoint Enrio Walchuk, the head of the operational command south, to plan an offensive that will involve somewhere between 20 to 25,000 troops. Well, dang, that's a lot of troops.

[00:04:22]>> To sweep the well entrenched enemy, Ukrainians decided to attack in five different places. On the south, the Ukrainian 28 mechanized 124th, 126, and 231st territorial defense brigades will engage near the M14 highway, which leads directly to Carson.

[00:04:42]There they will face the Russian 126th coastal defense, 127th separate reconnaissance brigades, 33rd and 255th regiments of the 20th motor rifle division, 331st airborne regiment of 98 airborne division and LPR's four separate mechanized brigade.

[00:05:03]>> So okay, he's still going. So hold on.

[00:05:06]The forces of the Ukrainian 17s tank, 63rd mechanized, 121st territorial defense and 59's motorized brigades as well as the 131st separate recon battalion will assault the crossing of multiple important tros and nearby towns. It is defended by the elite 171st separate air assault battalion of the seventh mountain air assault division and a part of 205th separate motor rifle brigade. The purpose of the main Ukrainian attack, however, is to try to cross the Inhallet River in multiple locations, enlarging their small bridge head here in the direction of Suhis Tavok to create conditions for potential split and encircumment of the Russians.

[00:05:51]>> And since this time we've watched, you know, Cart, Keefe, Hostal, Mariple, etc. some of these uh other uh you know, skirmishes and so forth. All these were Russian offensives and they saw we saw you know comparative like usually it would set up with some missile attacks then some air superiority uh and then uh you know penetration and columns and the Ukrainians had to focus really on doing ambush style attacks and roadblocks and company style um you know ambushes like just said so and basically digging in. I'm very interested to see how Russia sets up their defenses here. Are they going to have to rely on similar tactics? Are they going to set up lines of defense? They set up lines of defense that would be a signal of strength, but also it would be v they would be more vulnerable given the technology that we have nowadays uh in military warfare. So very interested because obviously the the the goalpost of military warfare have shifted so significantly already in this war. You can just you know guarantee that when you saw hostimal airport uh trying to be taken by just helicopters and and that that just it didn't go well at all. It was and maybe that was just you know incompetence or arrogance but at the end of the day we'll see what happens. Let's go.

[00:07:28]>> This task is given to the 35ths and 36 marine, 46 air mobile, 24th.

[00:07:34]>> They're trying to turn the the flank by crossing the river. That's what he just said.

[00:07:38]>> 61st mechanized and 57 motorized brigades >> with the support of multiple smaller units such as Ukrainian volunteer army, terror battalion, 108 109 >> terror battalion. That's an interesting name.

[00:07:54]>> Defense brigades on the flanks. They will face the 247th air assault regiment of the seventh mountain air assault division, 34th mountain motor rifle, 11th and 83rd air assault brigades which will be backed up by the 124th separate battalion and 234th air assault regiments of the 76 air assault division and DPR's 109's regiment.

[00:08:22]>> There's a lot of armor concentrated on the Ukrainian side. I see at least four armored divisions uh tanks right in this area. There is none for Russia as far as I can see.

[00:08:35]Doesn't guarantee they don't have armor, but I'm just looking at it. Two auxiliary attacks will be conducted from the north with forces of the 73rd Naval Center of Special Operations. Separate special purpose battalion of Cheshan volunteers.

[00:08:51]129 separate territorial defense.

[00:08:54]128th Mountain Assault and 60th mechanized brigades which Russian command plans to repel with forces of 10 separate special purpose 45th spnas as well as part of 2005 separate motor rifle and 810 naval infantry brigades. Ukrainians also concentrate a significant amount of artillery on the north organized into quiet mobile 45ths 55ths and 46th separate artillery brigades and separate artillery group of 17 stank brigade.

[00:09:26]>> Okay. So that's a good good signal that they have a uh a good movement uh cohesion setup >> that will support Ukrainian assaults in different directions throughout offensive operations. To offset that, >> notice nothing air or sea in part of this attack at all.

[00:09:48]>> The adversary concentrated 227's artillery brigade. Oh, >> and 140s artillery regiment which are similar in strength. From the Russian side, General Sergees Surrovikin was appointed as a commander of the 25,000 men large southern grouping of the Russian armed forces.

[00:10:07]>> So there's a very similar size uh in this fight.

[00:10:12]>> The defense of the Carson is his first strategic mission in this position.

[00:10:16]Quite an unusual role for someone who served as a commander-in-chief of the airspace forces for over 5 years. The most vocal about events around Carson, however, was the deputy head of administration of the occupied region.

[00:10:31]Heril Stramos, a collaborationist, who readily conveyed the Russian point of view on the unfolding events. Coming back to August 29th, the intensive strikes of high missiles also reach positions of the regular Russian army while Ukrainian attack aviation rapidly increases the number of sorties the air.

[00:10:50]>> So there's the air. So they're this is very similar to how we see Russia propping up their attacks. So they're using the same playbook in this regard.

[00:10:59]>> Defenses and troops concentrations.

[00:11:02]>> Wow. Ukrainian forces on the ground started active battles along the whole front line focusing efforts near Stabok as a part of their crucial plan to enlarge their lodgement area.

[00:11:13]>> And we did a video through battle order on like the tanks and like the T64s, the T72s, things like even the T80s. They had a ton of T64s and they get a lot of T72s from like um I wouldn't say allied countries but countries of Europe. As mechanized forces start pouring on the other bank of the Inhalats through pontoon bridges and Russian paratroopers retreat from the positions here. They also abandoned the 109 DPR regiment that was stationed with them facing Ukrainian marines. the DPR unit consisting mostly of conscripts is destroyed on the same day.

[00:11:54]>> So they're crossing these bridges, right? It's it's quite interesting the different tactics they each use.

[00:12:00]Obviously Ukraine when they are uh defending, they destroy the bridges. I'm not sure if this bridge is destroyed or not. We can't really tell um or if it's a pontoon bridge, but for Russia, you don't want to destroy these bridges because you eventually want to push through that territory. So it's very interesting dynamic between the two, right?

[00:12:21]>> Allowing Ukrainians to attack Suavok.

[00:12:24]The village of Tovia which was in Gree zone for a while is also secured. On the other parts of the front line, the advances are more modest as Kisaleifka and Pravdina change hands multiple times. Due to formidable enemy defenses, Ukrainians also failed to cross river near the wid breed. On August 31st, the Ukrainian Special Purpose Battalion of Chish Volunteers breaks through defenses on the north and captures Arhangiel, threatening to cut, >> that's a that's a mouthful are hang.

[00:12:56]Okay. the only road Russians can use to supply troops in Wikipedia where the active fighting persists in >> and I'm guessing just like in Maripole you have probably a ton of civilians just being occupied basically >> these conditions Russians are forced to slowly retreat leaving oh and then by September 4th Ukrainians also make territorial gains around advancing towards at the same time Russians lose the village of the Costa near Inhlet River.

[00:13:31]The footage indicates that Marines there jeez >> use Turkish Kirpinvs and T64 tanks for successful assaults on the entrenched Russian paratroopers.

[00:13:43]Further advances, >> I mean, like I said, there's no armor over here for for Russia is what it seems like. So the I mean obviously you could you have anti-tank from a weapon uh and and things like that but you have a a major disadvantage in terms of strength >> towards Bruce Kinsky hint that Ukrainians want to cut the only Russian supply line to the brid to increase chances of the crossing the river there.

[00:14:10]However, regrouped Russian reserves prevent this, pushing Ukrainians back to Costanka with brutal assaults across the fields. On September 2nd, a Russian counterattack forces Ukrainians out of Toby, freeing the front line here for a while.

[00:14:26]>> So, just basically a cat and mouse game right now >> and erasing earlier gains. Around this time, Himemer strikes collapse a bridge span in Novak Hovka, one of the three main supply lines across the Nepra River. The second and third supply lines, Anton Kakar and train bridges are under daily rocket strikes for a long time. So the Russia started relying solely on pontoon river crossings that are often targeted by Ukrainian longrange weapons as well. The Russian retreat from >> Yeah, but those are more, you know, mobile and easier to construct. So it's harder to to pin down on those. But not ideal to use pon pontoon bridges.

[00:15:09]Not ideal, but still a a hack against this type of warfare.

[00:15:14]>> A few villages in the north allowed Ukrainians to attack Nova from multiple sides, capturing it by September 6th.

[00:15:22]Ukrainians also actively assault adversary positions near P and Nova, preventing Russian command from throwing forces from here to the north.

[00:15:33]>> This central attack region seems like it's like the most active so far. regain lost positions. On the Inholet River, Russians focus on destroying Ukrainian pontoon bridges since the slowly expanding lodgement area of the attackers starts threatening Russian forces to the north. They conduct a counterattack near Blahadka, threatening to outthank Ukrainians and directly attack the vulnerable river crossings.

[00:15:57]The attack, however, is not successful.

[00:16:00]For the first time in a while, Ukraine started actively using Barctar TB2 drones, which may be a hint that a significant fraction of Russian air defense systems in the region were suppressed by Himemer strikes and harm missiles adapted for Ukrainian Mig 29s and Sue27s fighters. The photos and videos of the destroyed Russian SAM systems that appear systematically in the media supported that. This allowed Ukrainian air force to conduct more air strikes on Russians. further increasing pressure on them.

[00:16:32]>> Not without losses, however. On September 7th, a SU25 of the Ukrainian Air Force is shot down in the Molia region. The pilot is >> so Russia still has a good amount of air support above their heads >> skilled in this combat mission. However, as things slow down in the southern front line, striking opportunity rises not here but in Khark region. Ukrainian command immediately exposed that. On September 6, Ukraine launches a surprise counter offensive near Balaka in the northeastern Kiff region. From the very first day, remember we did Khi a few videos back. Um, you know, it's just very vulnerable due to its geography and where it sits. But, okay, so now the counter offensive is hitting in a few different places, not just in the south.

[00:17:25]There were many significant differences in these operations course. And >> I guess that's what this Well, this is Carson counter offensive. So, we're getting a little bit of a look somewhere else, too. What was happening around Carson accurately described as open door and solid wall scenarios, they were still inextricably linked. Preparation for counter offensive in the south were underway earlier than the preparations for the events in Kip region. Thus back in the August 2022 cave conducted an incredible information campaign to buy time and ultimately confuse the Russian commanders. Officials of the various levels, journalists and military officers in the interviews claimed that the counteroffensive actions of the Ukrainian side will be focused on the deoccupation of Corsole. Russian command took the bait and transferred their elite paratrooper and marine brigades as well as divisions to the south. The northeastern front was depleted of professional Russian units which were replaced.

[00:18:23]>> So they basically just pushed them all the way off car >> with smaller and poorly trained ones.

[00:18:28]This coupled with artillery strikes on the military infrastructure of Russian armed forces in the southern >> Wow. Oh, and they keep pushing.

[00:18:35]>> Ukraine played into the hands of the retaking the territories in Kaio region where the most important thing was speed of the action. Locked in due to destruction of bridges, Russian troops around Kerson were unable to transfer reinforcements and equipment to the rapidly collapsing Kip direction once the attack began allowing Ukrainians to recapture the key towns of Izum, Balakria, Kupensk, and Lean.

[00:19:01]On September 9th, Ukrainians completely secured their positions in Vodatifa, controlling the river bank from here to Belohka. This allows them to cross the river at many different points, reducing the effectiveness of the Russian artillery and air strikes on Ponton bridges. At the 10th separate special purpose and 2005 separate motor rifle brigades that left the Soapila and are about to flee positions again after taking heavy casualties. The Russian command has to redeploy the 126th coastal.

[00:19:34]>> So they are really backing up this northern flank >> defense brigade to the north. This allows the Russians to slow down the Ukrainian advance here. But by September 12th, they still lose Mir Lubka after a costly but ultimately successful attack of the 128 mountain assault brigade on the Inhallet River. The 35th and 36th brigades push Russians from their positions extending the lodgement area daily and reaching Bazan at Malasi de Minoa. On September 14th, Russia launches eight Kenjal and the Scander ballistic missiles on Kirik targeting the local thermal power plant as well as them on the Karachunovski reserve.

[00:20:18]And this is to do how does that affect this offense or this counter offensive though? This just to cause chaos. I mean I don't know. The dam was most likely a primary target as the water level in inlet's river starts rising after the strike. Ah >> this could have potentially created issues for Ukrainian forces that set up pontoon bridges downstream.

[00:20:44]>> However, the damage is quickly mitigated. So the water level returns to normal by September.

[00:20:49]>> That was not that was not a bad move though. Not a bad idea. I think uh didn't uh Ukraine do a similar move in Kev. I think number 15. The videos also indicate that Russians started actively using their new LMUR helicopter launch air-to-surface guided missiles on river crossings. However, without much success as even four of these missiles are unable to destroy one of the Ukrainian platoon bridges located in Tarnifka.

[00:21:21]Still, Russian helicopters remain a major threat as they carefully hunt down Ukrainian vehicles that are far from the friendly SAM systems. Ukrainian aviation also continues flying the sorties, most involving pairs of SU24s and SU25s that conduct closeair support. The regular deeper strikes, however, are still performed by him systems as Russian longrange missiles systems such as S300s are still present in the area even though Mig 29s and SU27s destroyed many short and medium range SAMs with harm missiles. During one of such seed missions, the Ukrainian Mig 29 is shot down on September 25th. The pilot Taskin is killed in action. in four days.

[00:22:09]Ukrainians also >> It seems like these lions haven't really moved though at all. It seems if anyone wants to, you know, push. I mean, the Russians aren't pushing at all. They're just trying to dig in. And the Ukrainians, of course, are not taking a huge risk. They are in the central region, but of the of this this area that's occupied, but not too much in the north, not too much in the south. also lose one SU24 bomber that was providing closeair support near the village of Maximka while being already seriously damaged and in fire. The plane is engaged by two Russian surfaceto-air missiles right before crashing. The beginning of the drone video on which the crash was captured also shows that the plane was attacked by two other missiles and one of them likely damaged the engine, lighting it up. Two pilots, however, survived as their parachutes were filmed as well.

[00:23:02]Such videos clearly show how the abundance of manpads and other modern air defense systems on both sides make air superiority almost unachievable as well as forces pilots to fly on extremely low altitudes.

[00:23:16]At this point, the ground battle enters the stalemate phase. As mentioned before, Russian attack aviation and artillery constantly pound the bridge head through which Ukrainians are trying to transport as many troops as possible for further advance. Even though the first Russian defensive lines were crossed in a few places, advancing forces still have to traverse through massive minefields which takes a lot of time and limits the use of mechanized forces. The most fierce battles are raging in the villages of Bazam Costka and Bruskinska as well as around Lubka in the >> as there I haven't I don't remember him showing any like artillery bombardments on either side quite yet cuz this is where the artillery was held >> north >> in the north >> Russians even regained some positions in the south but neither side can gain a decisive advantage at this point at the beginning of October the Ukrainian military command replaces Walshuku with Alexander Ternowski, expecting higher rates of advance from a new commander of this operation. As a side note, he was deputy of Alexander Sirski, the colonal general, who was brain behind Ukrainians swift and successful breakthrough in the Khark region. Meanwhile, under Kowaluk's command, Ukrainians in the south have managed to ruin Russian logistics and degrade their defensive lines and formations >> and a lot more concentrating in the north. However, a different approach needed to deliver a decisive strike and drought the enemy. After a close inspection of current positions, Darnowski discovers a new place for the attack that Russians left unguarded. On October 1st, Ukrainian forces meticulously regrouped by Darnowski attack along the Nippro River Bank on the north. The attack is risky as Ukrainians could be easily cut out from the friendly forces and destroyed on the river bank. For this I wonder is there any like naval assets of Russia on the on the river?

[00:25:14]>> This reason Russians never expected that Ukrainians would attempt such a breakthrough. The massive mechanized assault starts on the night of October 1st when over a 100 Ukrainian tanks and dis of the 57th motorized 17th tank and 60 mechanized brigades charged towards unprepared Russian positions. Here under this onslope the only obstacle the lead 10 separate special purpose brigade and some other smaller units are destroyed quite away on the next day Ukrainian mechanized forces continue their push with >> I mean they are just squeezing >> out losing pace entering and nearly they shot down the Russian K-52 one of the helicopters that are currently the only assets that Russians throw against on October 3rd. Ukrainian >> Oh my goodness. They going right now go going down the bank of the Nepro. They are getting very good penetration and they're going to surround these people if they they turn their flank.

[00:26:27]It becomes clear that Russians do not have sufficient reserves to mitigate such a breakthrough. So Ukrainian forces start freely maneuvering behind enemy alliance. The recent advances in the area of Suhistavog also hint that Russians in the north may >> they're going to try to meet each other >> soon end up in an encirclement. This sparks panic among all Russian units at their command completely loses control over the situation.

[00:26:53]>> So now you got to throw units at this area. So you're going to give or take somewhere else.

[00:26:58]>> On await reserves are unable to cross deepro quickly. to destroy.

[00:27:03]>> So you're going to hold the lines and you're going to send reserves from somewhere else. Got it.

[00:27:07]>> Bridges while the rest of the troops on the right bank of the river are locked in heavy battles. Even the Russian artillery of the 227th artillery brigade and 140s artillery regimen could not support the disorganized infantry anymore and are driven back by rapidly advancing 17th, 57ths, and 60s brigades.

[00:27:26]>> I mean, they've made a lot of progress so far. At this point, all Russian units in the area begin their race to the rear, abandoning armored vehicles, ammo warehouses, and killed comrades. Some even choose to surrender.

[00:27:41]>> I mean, it's not a good start to the new commander of this region for for Russia, is it?

[00:27:46]>> Seeing how their command handled the situation on October 4th, Ukrainians liberated blockade.

[00:27:51]>> I mean, but also retreating doesn't always mean a is not always a bad thing.

[00:27:56]You know, a lot of times people think that, even I think that sometimes, but sometimes, of course, you could just say you're advancing in another direction, but sometimes you are uh, you know, living to fight another day, and you just, you don't want to, you know, have your troops, you know, you don't want to miss the forest for the trees, right?

[00:28:19]>> Part of Duchan and Ukraine, as well as smaller nearby towns. Russians blow up the bridge in Duchan. So advancing forces fully control only the northern part of the village. The overall northern front line along the inhales river also quickly crumbles as on the same day Russians retreat from the villages of the develop as well as smaller nearby towns on October 5th. the Ukrainian >> and finally they're going to try to assert a new line.

[00:28:53]>> Advance slows down but already quite exhausted forces still reclaim the towns of Nova.

[00:28:59]>> So just a 5 days into October they have reset the entire boundaries and a particularly interesting engagement happens on this day between Noakamanka and Duchan. Here, soldiers of the fourth regiment of the second assault battalion of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade on two BMP2s supported by a T64 of 17 separate tank brigade engage in a battle with four Russian T90 S tanks. This story was told by one of the Ukrainian soldiers engaged in a battle and some parts of it supported by drone footage.

[00:29:38]>> I mean, just looking at this, it would seem the Russians have the advantage.

[00:29:42]However, they're going horizontal to a vertical approach.

[00:29:46]>> Ukrainian small column advancing to the south in the direction of Suhanova village suddenly meets Russian reserves forces counting four tanks of the 34 separate motor rifle brigade. Using smoke grenades, the Ukrainian tank approaches the enemy and while being undetected destroys one of the Russian T90S's from a close distance using two H shells.

[00:30:10]>> Dang. one of the few pure tank duels of this war. Another T90S rushes to come to a rescue, but witnesses the duel and decides to retreat. The other two Russian tanks cover this T90 from a distance, pounding the supposed location where Ukrainian troops disembarked with a few shells. Being covered by bushes and trees, the Ukrainian tank retreats as well and starts firing in the direction of the enemy. M he hit it.

[00:30:40]>> After Ukrainian T64 miraculously manages to damage another T90S, Russians make a decision.

[00:30:46]>> My god, that that tank is fierce to retreat further. The next day, an unprecedentedly quick advance is concluded when Ukrainians cross the bridge over the water reser near Duchane, preventing the enemy from getting a formidable foothold behind this natural defensive line. At this point, Russians lost significant part of their lodgement area on the right bank of Nippro River as well as strong defensive lines on the Inholet River.

[00:31:13]These fortifications allow them to hold significant Ukrainian forces on the other bank of the river and pound them with artillery and aviation for a while.

[00:31:22]Now, these forces are pushing Russians backwards, but the pace is slower since Ukrainians have to brief reserves closer and arrange new logistical lines. By October 9th though, Novakabanka is liberated. Russian attempts to counterattack fail as their forces are short on all kind of vehicles that were lost and simply abandoned during the retreat. Once again, rotating troops or supplying them with a new armor is impossible due to practically non-existent supply lines between Nippros right and left banks.

[00:31:54]>> I mean, at this point, it looks like the Russians are completely outmatched in Holden Harrison. Ukrainians also down a K-52 in the area of Suhanova.

[00:32:03]Interestingly, it's only the second and the last Russian aircraft that was destroyed and photographed during the counter offensive around Kerson, which means that they did not carry as many CAS missions here as on the other directions which were less critical.

[00:32:19]Now, the Russian command understands that it's only a question of time when Ukrainians will gather a new armored fist and renew the offensive.

[00:32:28]Nevertheless, for the rest of the October, they still choose to hold newly established and unfortified positions with already quite battered forces that become smaller every day. Such fighting continues for another month, while Russian officials reportedly point out that the city of Carson was turned into a stronghold and will be defended at any cost.

[00:32:57]seems very parallel to kind of like the uh Marupole uh defensive conversation for the Ukrainian forces.

[00:33:08]>> In reality, however, no real efforts are made to prepare the city for a siege.

[00:33:13]So, at the beginning of November, it be >> crazy. Sieging your own city is crazy, but you have to to get it back. becomes clear to everyone that they were just delaying the inevitable. On November 9th, 2022, Russian military command >> about a month after the big push declares that they are regrouping from the right bank of Nepro River, officially concluding the battle.

[00:33:45]a left back.

[00:34:08]So that's the Minister of Defense, right?

[00:34:10]>> The guy that Wagner did not like.

[00:34:24]Yes.

[00:34:25]>> A few hours before this news, the deputy head of administration of the occupied region, Keralosov dies in a car crash near Henichki.

[00:34:37]A few hours before this news, the deputy head of administration of the occupied region, Kil Straosov, dies in a car crash near Henichk. Of course, by complete coincidence. Videos also indicate that a few days before that dies in a car crash and all you can see is the axle. What kind of car crash is that?

[00:34:58]>> All Russian flags disappeared from administrative buildings in your son and all possessions of value were removed or basically stolen. So Russians clearly tried to conduct a retreat in an organized manner. Worth mentioning that the deportation of Kerson citizens started on October 18th was also successful to some extent but around 100,000 people were still left in the city. On November 10th, Ukrainian troops liberates Nharifka, starting a cautious movement through abandoned Russian positions along the whole front line.

[00:35:30]Pontoon bridges which Russians use to escape are targeted by all kinds of Ukrainian artillery that inflict maximum casualties to the retreating enemy.

[00:35:40]Videos indicate that Russians left the Carson area mostly by food. So we can assume that leftovers of their military vehicles were abandoned as well. Soon the photos and videos with hundreds of captured tanks, IFVs, APCs, and IVs of all kinds flood the internet, proving that the exodus from Carson was indeed very costly for the defending side.

[00:36:04]Eventually, on November 11th, Russians blew >> Yeah, I mean, this is a huge objective for Ukraine right here.

[00:36:09]>> Bl the heavily damaged Santon Carroll bridge to prevent a chase. Ukrainians however never planted as they are moving slowly due to destroyed bridges in the area and heavy mining. After thorough reconnaissance, the first units of the Ukrainian military enter on November 11th, ending >> these citizens, poor citizens, they're thinking the war is almost but over probably, you know, with this city being liberated >> over a half year long occupation.

[00:36:41]>> Four years later, >> they are met with unprecedented gratitude and joy as the remaining citizens wave the Ukrainian flags that they did hide for the whole occupation period. At this point, Ukrainians reached a cusp of victory which Russians would soon try to spoil by conducting artillery strikes across the river.

[00:37:00]Nevertheless, Ukrainian President Wimmer Zalinski visit Carson on November 14th, meeting with residents and offering support.

[00:37:08]>> How are you feeling today, Mr. President?

[00:37:10]>> How are you feeling?

[00:37:12]>> Very well today.

[00:37:13]>> How is this moment for you?

[00:37:14]>> The moment is very important. That is the biggest the biggest city what was occupied at since 24th of uh you know of February. So that is the biggest city and now it's free.

[00:37:27]>> Uh his bodyguard is active and and they should be.

[00:37:31]>> So Ukraine came so I'm happy. Thank you.

[00:37:34]With the return of the city under the Ukrainian control, the international and domestic investigators also start uncovering a significant number of war crimes that were committed during the occupation, including murders, kidnappings, and detention of hundreds of people in torture chambers.

[00:37:52]>> And that's just what they found.

[00:37:54]>> The Kerson city infrastructure was also destroyed before the Russian retreat. So the reintegration of the city after the eight months long occupation is a complex task especially as shellings of the city are regularly conducted from the left bank of Nippro river. In conclusion, the liberation of Carson and the ejection of Russians from the right bank of the Nepra river was a major victory for Ukraine. Active use of high maras put a significant strain on Russian logistics preventing the transition of troops and supplies across the river. By degrading the capabilities of Russian military this way, Ukrainians got a key advantage that allowed them to route the Russians in mechanized assault along the riverbank.

[00:38:40]This particular operation was as risky as it was successful, dealing irreversible damage to the enemy. It's also important to mention that losses of Ukrainians were quite high during the first months of the offensive as troops faced quite formidable Russian defenses.

[00:38:57]elite enemy units and devastating air strikes. However, once you >> Golly, that's a big gun right there.

[00:39:04]>> Ukrainians began their fast advance in KF region, Russians were unable to reinforce the front lines there with troops from Carson, making it a perfect trap.

[00:39:13]>> Crab howitzers. Wow. When Ukrainians reached the limits of their advance there, they focused on Carson, creating conditions in which the enemy had a crucial dilemma.

[00:39:25]military defeat in a face-to-face battle or a quick escape, a battle in large territories and loads of equipment without a fight. As it happens in any good dilemma, choosing the second option did lead to the same negative outcomes as choosing the first one. In conclusion, the battle for Kerson clearly showed that Ukrainians can adapt and conduct complex military operations of matching an enemy with a huge advantage in equipment numbers by superior tactics and smart use of modest resources.

[00:40:07]M jeez.

[00:40:35]Wow.

[00:40:36]This was a very interesting video to watch just seeing the the the cat and mouse game just deteriorate over time.

[00:40:49]>> The ground battle and >> it was it was interesting to see his little armor uh in the northern part of the Kurten region for for Russia. Maybe they just not they just not plan for the overwhelming forces of Ukraine here. And when they took that bank, I think that was the decisive like change in this entire Let's see if we can find it. When they took that bank here on the right hand side, when they started pushing in, that kind of just turned their flank and made them lose so much territory and get so congested and create, you know, create that reason and rationale. Oh, maybe we should go to the left bank of the Napro versus this right bank because we're going to get pounded by artillery, by drones, by by missiles, by tanks, by everything. But got to hand it to Ukraine here. They did exactly what they intended to do. As always, we watch these chronologically on War Archives channel. So, make sure you guys subscribe to War Archive. Um, make sure you subscribe here so we can watch all these videos together collectively. I'll see you guys in the next one. Hope you have a good one. Peace out.