Russian Forces Continue to Fortify Positions as Ukraine Advances in Counteroffensive
In the midst of a fierce weeklong battle to capture a Russian position, Ukrainian Colonel Viktor Sikoza received alarming news that the Russian forces were using this time to construct yet another fortification behind their current defenses. Colonel Sikoza, the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade, expressed his frustration, stating, “They are still building their defenses…even as Ukraine is pressing forward.”
The 36th Marine Brigade has been at the forefront of Ukraine’s push into southern Ukraine, having advanced approximately five miles into Russian lines. Colonel Sikoza’s account of heavily entrenched Russian positions aligns with reports from Ukrainian sources. Over the past week, Colonel Sikoza led an assault on a forest surrounded by swampy terrain, finding that the Russian forces had dug in and mined the only firm ground suitable for armored vehicles. Consequently, the assault had to take place on foot.
The Ukrainian infantry engaged in close-range combat with a company of approximately 80 Russian soldiers who were entrenched in trenches within the forest. Colonel Sikoza described a turning point when his troops managed to capture two bunkers and a trench line, partially cutting off the Russian group’s resupply capabilities and forcing them into retreat.
Motivated to capture enemy positions and secure the release of Ukrainian prisoners, Colonel Sikoza’s soldiers have been working tirelessly. The 36th Marine Brigade endured a difficult period during the early stages of the war, with over 1,000 marines being taken prisoner by the Russians in Mariupol. Colonel Sikoza expressed the brigade’s desire to trade these prisoners for Ukrainian soldiers held by the Russians.
The counteroffensive holds personal significance for Colonel Sikoza, who escaped from the Crimean Peninsula when Russia occupied it in 2014. If successful, the Ukrainian advance could place their artillery within striking distance of the isthmus to the peninsula, cutting off crucial Russian supply lines.
However, progress has been slow, with President Volodymyr Zelensky admitting that the counteroffensive has not met the expectations of some allies. Ukraine has also suffered losses of Western-provided armored vehicles in minefields. Colonel Sikoza expressed frustration that the Russians had fortified their positions for over a year.
Despite the obstacles, Colonel Sikoza’s troops have achieved some significant victories. One soldier, identified only as Lieutenant Yevhen, successfully shot down a Russian attack helicopter using a Javelin anti-tank guided missile. Additionally, the brigade’s Soviet-legacy artillery systems managed to strike a Russian barracks located far behind the front lines, leading to complaints from Russian soldiers about poor living conditions.
Colonel Sikoza acknowledged the challenges posed by the newly constructed Russian fortifications, stating that Ukraine lacks the necessary precision weaponry to effectively target these positions at long range. The additional defenses are expected to further slow Ukrainian advances.
While progress may be slower than anticipated, the determination of Colonel Sikoza and his troops remains unwavering as Ukraine continues its counteroffensive against Russian forces.