In the dynamic theater of the Tokmak direction, Ukrainian forces execute a strategic shift, prioritizing the expansion of their bridgehead and achieving significant successes, while a series of tactical maneuvers, including precision deployments and a daring night raid, reshape the unfolding narrative of the conflict.
On November 17, there were many important updates from the front of the clashes between the Ukrainian army and the army of the Russian invaders – YouTube channel Reporting from Ukraine reports.
There were a lot of good updates from the Tokmak direction.
Here, Ukrainian forces continued conducting the counteroffensive operation and recently achieved significant results. The main goal of Ukrainians has changed since October, and currently, the first priority is to widen the bridgehead, not deepen it. The reason behind the widening of the bridgehead lies in the topography of the region. If we look at the topographic map, we can see that the Ukrainian bridgehead is surrounded by tactical heights. In order to simplify holding the ground, improve their logistical possibilities, and set conditions for future advancement southward, establishing control over the highlands is imperative.
Since Russian forces launched their offensive operation in Avdiivka, the situation in this region became quite ambiguous because both Russians and Ukrainians had quite a lot of forces here, and whoever would be forced to relocate them first would suffer territory losses.
When it comes to the Russians, instead of decreasing the number of troops on the contact line, they decided just to relocate their reserves to Avdiivka. Without reserves, the Russians virtually lost the ability to conduct rotation, and it was just a matter of time until the exhaustion accumulated beyond the breaking point. This decision ensured that Russians did not face any immediate consequences but set themselves up for a potential disaster in the medium to long term.
When it comes to Ukrainians, they do two things. First of all, they did relocate some detachments to Avdiivka almost immediately, which is why the tempo of the offensive operation suffered in the short term. However, the remaining detachments were left with reserves to continue conducting rotation. Secondly, Ukrainians decided to compensate for that by deploying some of the most skilled artillery and drone crews because, in Avdiivka, Ukrainians needed a pure volume of artillery shells, while here, Ukrainians needed precision the most.
A Ukrainian fighter from the twenty-fourth assault brigade reported that since skilled artillery and drone crews arrived in the region, the situation became quite interesting. The first Ukrainian push happened north of Verbove. Russian sources reported that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian strong points north of Verbove and forced them to withdraw from the tactical heights. If we look at the topographic map, we can see that the Ukrainians set out to establish full control over this ridge. Ukrainians already control the highest points in the region; the only difficulty right now is moving through the fields after rains. A Ukrainian analyst assessed the situation and concluded that the Russian airborne units will now have a much harder time defending Verbove as the village is located in the lowlands.
The second and biggest Ukrainian breakthrough happened west of Robotyne. Here, Russian forces were controlling several extensive trench networks. The freshest updates suggest that Ukrainians opened at least five vectors of attack.
Russian sources published geolocated footage showing Russian forces striking Ukrainian positions immediately west of Robotyne, indicating that Ukrainians successfully advanced and took control over the remaining trenches on the highlands. Moreover, the tree lines north and south of these fortifications were also taken by Ukrainians, as recent footage shows an engagement around 1 km west of previous positions.
But the biggest news is that Ukrainians conducted an insane night operation, sneaked into the underground barracks, and killed dozens of Russian soldiers. After extremely graphic footage of the aftermath leaked into the media, a Russian fighter posted a video with an explanation. He said that the Ukrainians took advantage of the exhausted, understaffed, and underequipped Russian forces and conducted a night raid. He said that Russian soldiers did not have enough men on the watch, creating a lot of blind spots and risk. He also said that even those on the watch did not have night vision, while Ukrainians did. Moreover, Ukrainians also operated with silencers. As a result, Ukrainians quietly took out the whole guard, got onto the territory of the base, got into the underground barracks, and just opened fire from machine guns at the sleeping soldiers, then threw several grenades and escaped.
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