Ukrainian army completing encirclement of Russian troops in Lyman
Ukrainian army completing encirclement of Russian troops in Lyman (Photo:General Staff of Ukraine)
The operation to surround a Russian concentration of troops near the town of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast, is "at the stage of completion" as the Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken all the roads to the city under their fire control, Ukrainian military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevaty said in a comment to national broadcaster Suspilne on Sept. 30.
"We cannot give details on the places that have been taken yet,” he said.
“Since the Armed Forces of Ukraine can bring out and put up the flag, they’re share joyful videos, but the fighting is still ongoing. After taking stabilization measures, it will be possible to say more – when all security measures are taken and there is no enemy counterattack.”
According to him, the occupation garrison of Lyman is cut off from the supply of ammunition and manpower.
"It is difficult to comment as the operation is still underway,” stated Cherevaty.
“The operation is aimed at encircling this group. Virtually all approaches, logistical routes of the enemy through which they delivered ammunition and manpower are under Ukrainian military fire control.”
Cherevaty said that the Russian army is much more strongly fortified near Lyman than in other areas.
"That's why it took time, but our General Staff and the staff on the ground outplayed them tactically: planning and carrying out the operation at a high level of military experience and training.”
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported in its Sept. 29 update that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had probably almost completed the encirclement of Lyman, as well as cut critical ground lines of communication that support the Russian army troops in the area of Drobysheve-Lyman.
"It is highly unlikely that any deployment of additional, newly mobilized, forces to Lyman will afford the existing Russian grouping significant defensive capabilities and prevent Ukrainian troops from collapsing the Lyman pocket," ISW experts noted.
On the morning of Sept. 30, it was reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had entered the town of Yampil, Donetsk Oblast, which is located about 17 kilometers southeast of Lyman.
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