Experts assess the importance of Russian military control of Izyum

Mar 25, 2022 08:39 GMT+7

Military expert Leonkov shared with Vzglyad newspaper when commenting on the statement of the Russian Defense Ministry about capturing the city of Izyum in Kharkov.

“Izyum plays an extremely important role. Ammunition supplies, additional personnel, and evacuation of wounded soldiers were all approved there. It is an important city in every way in this direction. Of course, the Ukrainian Armed Forces fought as hard as they could, trying to hold the city with all their might, but without success,” Leonkov explained.

The Russian army claims to have taken control of the Ukrainian city of Izyum in Kharkov after the fighting. (Photo: Izvestia)

Mr. Leonkov said that, after the control of Izyum and the defeat of the Ukrainian army in Kamenka, located south of Izyum. The Russian armed forces will move towards Slavyansk to continue encircling Ukrainian troops.

“Also, our servicemen work individually for each settlement, as there are civilians in the cities and towns. So when we liberate this settlement or that settlement, we try to save as many lives as possible. Therefore, the operations are being carried out at an appropriate speed,” Leonkov stressed.

On the tactics of military operations, Leonkov noted: “Now allied forces are advancing both in the south – from Vuhledar (Donetsk) and in the north from Izyum. This will allow us to surround the enemy in the Donbass.”

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Russian army had taken control of Izyum in Kharkov. During the operation in Izyum, the Russian army also captured several Ukrainian nationalist leaders.

“The Russian armed forces continue to carry out the tasks of the special military operation. By the morning of March 24, units of the Russian army had completely taken control of the city of Izyum,” said Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.

Konashenkov added that Russian high-precision weapons destroyed 13 missile launchers and a temporary base of a battalion in the city of Lisichansk, Ukraine.

According to Konashenkov, the Russian Armed Forces carried out strikes with long-range high-precision weapons on the evening of March 23 and the early morning of March 24.

Izyum is located on the main road between Kharkov and the breakaway regions of Lugansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Izyum has been cut off from almost all communications since intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian military forces broke out last week. Video and photos taken from the city show that Izyum was devastated on a large scale, buildings burned and bombed.

Su-34 fighter jets destroy Ukrainian military equipment

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on March 24 that the Su-34 fighter jets of the Russian Air Force destroyed the arsenal of weapons and military equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. After completing the mission, these planes return to base.

“The Russian Air Force Su-34s neutralized military facilities and military equipment of the Ukrainian army. Areas for gathering military vehicles, armored vehicles, and armories have been attacked with high-precision weapons,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Peace (translation summary)