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Russia’s New Strategy to Conquer Kyiv: Starve the Population Into Surrender?

T-84 Ukrainian tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
T-84 Ukrainian tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Russia Attempting To Block Humanitarian Convoy Routes Into Kyiv – The Russian Defense Ministry claims to have met its initial objectives and has told its state-run media that the focus of the “special military operation” was the taking and holding of the Russian-led separatist areas of Donestk and Luhansk that they consider independent republics. 

However, after taking heavy casualties in and around Kyiv after attempts to take the capital city failed, Russian troops are digging in around the city in defensive positions to maintain pressure on the Ukrainian defenses, while continuing to pound the city with massive amounts of artillery and missile fire that are taking an increasing toll on the civilian population.

Ukrainian troops around Kyiv that spoke to the New York Times were appreciative of the United States and the UK for the influx of Javelin missiles and NLAW anti-tank rockets that have taken a huge toll on Russian armored vehicles that have attacked Kyiv. 

But the Russians are also trying to extend a “corridor” around the capital city of Kyiv to stop supply routes that bring in arms, ammunition, and food to both the soldiers and the civilians of the city. 

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maliar told a television news crew that the Russians were attempting to cut off the flow of supplies to the Ukrainian people in Kyiv.

“The defense of Kyiv continues. Ground forces, Air Assault Forces, special operations forces, territorial defense are involved. Kyiv residents are also very active in the defense of Kyiv. It is very difficult for the enemy. But we must speak honestly: the enemy is not letting up attempts to seize Kyiv after all. Because taking Kyiv essentially means taking Ukraine. So that is their goal.”

However, Kyiv is attempting to appear as normal as conditions allow and online classes will resume on Monday. 

“The purpose of distance learning during the war is not only the acquisition of knowledge, but also psychological support, communication, and switching children’s attention,” said Valentyn Mondryivsky, the deputy chairman of the Kyiv state administration, in a press release.

Special Forces Unit That is Wreaking Havoc On Russian Columns:

As has been previously reported, the Russian military has had long columns of armored vehicles that have been stalled due to Ukrainian resistance, and lack of logistical support. 

1945 reported earlier about the 40km long Russian column headed for Kyiv that had stalled. But that column was hit hard and suffered significant casualties from just a small 30-man contingent of Ukrainian Special Forces. 

Operating on small, mobile quad bikes, this SF unit was able to call down T2 drone strikes that exacted a heavy toll on the Russian forces. In a report over the weekend by 19fortyfive.com, it was reported that small teams of CIA paramilitary and Green Beret A-Teams conducted extensive training with Ukrainian SOF and that their training was paying dividends. 

This unit could very well be an example of that. The Ukrainian SF unit, commanded by Lt Col Yaroslav Honcha, can approach stealtily on the quad bikes, and equipped with night vision goggles (NVGs), sniper rifles, remotely detonated mines, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras, and others capable of dropping small bombs on Russian troops concentrations.

“This one little unit in the night destroyed two or three vehicles at the head of this convoy, and after that it was stuck. They stayed there two more nights, and [destroyed] many vehicles,” Honchar said.

“We are like a hive of bees,” Honchar added. “One bee is nothing, but if you are faced with a thousand, it can defeat a big force. We are like bees, but we work at night.”

Steve Balestrieri is a 1945 National Security Columnist. He has served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer before injuries forced his early separation. In addition to writing for 19fortyfive.com, he has covered the NFL for PatsFans.com for more than 10 years and his work was regularly featured in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and Grafton News newspapers in Massachusetts.

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Steve Balestrieri is a 1945 National Security Columnist. He has served as a US Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer before injuries forced his early separation. In addition to writing for 1945, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and his work was regularly featured in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and Grafton News newspapers in Massachusetts.

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