Russian troops have fled headlong in Kharkiv. Striking: a large part of those soldiers are part of the First Guards Tank Army, a prestigious army unit that was created to protect Moscow in the event of a possible attack. “If the Russians in the south were to surrender now, you would get images that would be very painful for President Putin,” war journalist Robin Ramaekers said.
The British intelligence services provide more information about the First Guards Tank Army in their daily update. “The regiment suffered heavy losses at the beginning of the invasion and had not recovered from them when Ukraine launched the counter-offensive. Other units have also been hit hard. It will take Russia years to bring the troops back to some level,” it sounds.
That the flight was chaotic is proven by the large number of army vehicles and ammunition that were left behind. Ukraine’s defense ministry derisively called Russia “the largest supplier of military equipment to the Ukrainian army” in a tweet.
“Like rats in a trap”
At the same time, reports from the south continue to surface that would indicate a possible surrender of the Russians. “That’s about 20,000 Russian soldiers who are literally trapped like rats over the Dnieper River,” Ramaekers says. “Of course, if they surrender, you get images that would be very painful for President Putin.”
“It is now important for the Ukrainians to push through as hard and as deeply as possible. They are also asking the West for more assistance and more weapons to keep going.”
“For the Russians it’s a very different story: they have to try to get out of the corner where the blows fall. One of the fears is that the Russian president could come up with a surprise. The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is then one of the few options that remain. With a targeted attack, he could ensure that the whole of Ukraine is without electricity. Putin can of course also sit down at the negotiating table, but that would also be a huge loss of face,” concludes Ramaekers.
Also read: REPORTING. Fleming Tom Murrath (62) and his wife return to their flat in Charkiv: “Happy homecoming. But then there was a bang and the reality check came” (+)
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