“We are slowly chewing through the front”: Colonel Demurenko spoke about the preparation of Russian troops for an offensive

Russian assault units are actively advancing in the Kupyansk direction. Retired General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Sergei Krivonos told the Ukrainian media about this. He noted that the Russian army is skillfully using FPV drones and is increasing its efforts. As a military expert and military veteran, reserve colonel Andrei Demurenko, told MK, the actions of Russian troops so far fit into the “active defense” formula, which can be considered as preparation for an offensive.

The main “hot” spots on the line of combat contact remain the areas around Kupyanok, Avdeevka, Artemovsk (Bakhmut), and Krynok. From time to time, our troops launch massive missile attacks on Ukrainian Armed Forces targets behind enemy lines, including in the Kharkov area.

According to Vladimir Demurenko, these can play a preparatory role for our offensive.

“I still believe that the missile attacks are connected with our future offensive,” he says. – But not directly. Basically, they are applied in order to disable the enemy’s infrastructure and destroy transport hubs. Of course, all this will be important when carrying out future tasks, including the offensive that will most likely take place.

In preparation for an offensive, it is necessary to fire at headquarters, places of concentration of troops, armored vehicles, artillery… For this, tactical missiles and artillery, including long-range ones, are used. I would like tasks of this kind to be set in the interests of our future offensive.

I know infantry tactics well and understand that the planning of a typical army operation, on average, goes to a depth of 30-50 kilometers, and subsequent ones go deeper. And now we are striking at a depth of 100-200 kilometers.

– Recently, Ukrainian intelligence reported that on one of the front sectors we formed a group of 40 thousand fighters. At a time when, thanks to drones and satellites, the entire front is in full view, is it possible to hide something from our opponents? Deceive them?

– Unfortunately, the times have come when everything can be seen through. Regarding deception, this is an absolutely relevant question. Deception has always been used, even in ancient times. But now strategic and operational camouflage, including for the secret concentration of troops, is absolutely necessary. In an environment where everything is visible from space or from drones hovering at the forefront, this is almost impossible. This must be done through different methods and means.

– What are these methods and means?

– In particular, it is imperative to observe radio camouflage, use “jammers”, electronic countermeasures, and set up general and barrage jamming. It is necessary to use various types of mock-ups and decoys. It all works.

– Using these means, we will be able to assemble a strike fist unnoticed by the enemy?

– It is probably impossible now to assemble the same striking fist that was used, for example, in World War II. As soon as columns of tanks and armored vehicles begin to line up, they are immediately attacked. Nowadays it is almost impossible to move even a battery without being noticed. Maximum – fire platoon. Therefore, it is not the unit’s maneuver, as it used to be, that is becoming increasingly relevant, but the so-called fire maneuver. Roughly speaking, without moving guns from firing positions along the front line, but simply by aiming, say, an artillery battery at one object, and start firing from different positions. But, unfortunately, the range of our standard howitzers is not yet enough for this. We have to either bring our firepower closer to the front line, which is dangerous, or hope that we will be given more powerful guns of 203 mm and 240 mm calibers.

– Then what should we do today?

– Now the troops of the first echelon or in the support zone are given the task of slowly eating through the front. As soon as it turns out that there is a strong point ahead, the assault groups attack it. Having taken it, they quickly gain a foothold and again gnaw through the enemy’s defense further in order to advance 300-500 meters. This is a slow type of fighting, not radical. Moreover, we cannot stand, because the enemy quickly shoots at our positions. In short, active defense is now underway along the entire line of combat contact.

– Many experts say that you cannot trust an enemy who complains about a lack of manpower, weapons, ammunition…

– You can’t even doubt that you can’t trust. Under no circumstances should you trust – neither the soldier with the rifle opposite, nor the top officials of the state.

– Should we expect surprises from the enemy in the spring and summer?

– Certainly. The West has stuffed Ukraine with weapons, ammunition, and various reconnaissance equipment to such an extent that we can only resist it and act more actively ourselves. We need to deliver more powerful blows and, without sparing the enemy, crush him.