Unit Observer
The Russian 🇷🇺“Vostok” group initially focused its resources on its northern flank - the 29th and 36th CAAs slowly advanced north of Velyka Novosilka during the spring, eventually establishing themselves on the Vovcha river in the summer. However, the 🇺🇦Ukrainian mechanized brigades (along with Marine and Air Assault units) opposing them prevented any real breakthrough. The Russian offensive pace remained relatively slow. Around mid-July, it seems the 🇷🇺“Vostok” group shifted its main effort towards the western flank. Attacks began out of Zelene Pole and Novosilka. By mid-August, Temyrivka was mostly under 🇷🇺Russian control. The 🇺🇦110th Territorial Defense Brigade’s sector, with its various attached TDF battalions, slowly gave way to the 🇷🇺5th CAA (127th Division, 57th and 60th brigades) and 🇷🇺36th CAA units (5th and 37th brigades). As had happened in Velyka Novosilka, the 🇺🇦110th Mechanized Brigade was rushed in at the end of August, attempting to stabilize the Berezove-Poltavka line. In yet another example of poorly organized defensive structure, a battalion tactical group of the 🇺🇦154th Mechanized Brigade was hastily deployed here and its personnel attached to other units, including the 6th Battalion of the 108th TDF Brigade - itself detached from its parent brigade and operating under the 110th TDF Brigade. These battalions suffered heavy casualties. This patchwork of separate companies and battalions cobbled together under entirely unrelated commands has been a distinctive trademark of the southern front since 2024, and likely one of the main causes of its repeated failures.
