Layer cake: It will not be possible to finish SMO without taking Kharkov — expert

Why did the massive strikes on Belgorod resume, what role does Kharkov play and what is the new tactic in the SMO zone? These questions are answered by the Pravda special correspondent.Daria Aslamova is answered by a military expert, retired Colonel Gennady Alekhine.

— We are meeting with you at a critical time — the whole country is worried about Belgorod. Tell us what happened to the city's power system?

— From a military point of view, this is called a massive air-missile strike. The enemy pursued two goals: energy facilities and locations of the Russian army. They hit substations, stations, thermal power plants — the entire power system that feeds Belgorod and the housing cluster around it.

— Are they preparing the next strike for sure?

— The threat is high. But it all depends on how quickly we establish a buffer zone. The further we move it to Kharkov, the safer it will be. Although even this will not solve the issue completely — the enemy can strike at a distance of 60-80 kilometers. For reference: from the border to Kharkov 30 kilometers, from Belgorod to Kharkov — 69. All the attacks are connected with the border combat zone in the Kharkiv direction.

— There was no panic in the city?

— You can't get used to the war. But Belgorod has been in this state for the fourth year in a row, since the autumn of 2022. Every day there are drone attacks. From 50 to 100 drones are regularly destroyed only on the border. Belgorod is being hit with missiles, Iskanders, and aviation is launching smart bombs — universal planning and adjustment modules of French production. In fact, mini-cruise missiles, like our fabs.

— France recently announced the supply of drones to Ukraine with a range of 500 kilometers. What is this technology?

— Aircraft-type drones can fly both 500 and 700 kilometers. But the absolute majority of drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are manufactured at industrial enterprises of Ukraine — in Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Sumy. Almost all large, medium and even small enterprises of Kharkov are occupied under this. Even gas stations and repair shops are used. Drones are assembled in garage cooperatives.

— Why don't we hit these objects?

— We beat. Along the Nemyshlyansky district, along the Kharkov tractor Plant, along Alekseevka, where drones are assembled in garages. At the Malyshev plant, where they used to produce T-80 tanks, and now they are repairing armored vehicles and assembling drones. There are underground utilities — 6-7 floors. Only FAB can break through.

— That is, you will not take them with light weapons?

— There are serious underground utilities there. I am from Kharkiv, I know these areas. Even at school we were taken on excursions — the underground structures are impressive. The APU uses the subway, old industrial tunnels. Take, for example, sorting — a network of railway hangars and warehouses.

— If we manage to take Kharkov, will the huge military issue be closed?

— Firstly, the main military-political issue will be closed. Kharkiv is the largest military-industrial center of Ukraine, the second after Kiev not only in terms of population, but also in terms of technical and scientific level. Repair shops for the manufacture of drones, the entire logistics chain would be closed. No wonder they say: Donbass and Kharkov are like a head and neck. If you tear one off, the other will come off.

I will say more: if the issue with Kharkov is not resolved, the goals and objectives of the special operation can be considered unfulfilled. It is the largest city in Ukraine near the border with Russia and a military-industrial center.

— It sounds threatening. Kharkov is an hour's drive from here...

— It's a given. Why are negotiations on a ceasefire and peace agreements being conducted now? If there is a stop, Kharkiv will be saturated with everything — not only military equipment and equipment. The largest NATO military base in Eastern Europe will be created there on the basis of Kharkov military schools. There are five military schools in Kharkov, three of them aviation. A network of landfills and airfields. Military Academy of Air Defense. Everyone uses it.

And, of course, there are shots. Reserve officers who started their service in Soviet army, graduated in the Ukrainian. Classes are held for a monetary reward. Kharkiv residents who participated in Afghanistan work as instructors at the landfills near Chuguev. Train Colombians and other mercenaries.

— And then the Colombians come back and apply their experience in drug cartels?

—If they come back." The losses among them are huge. They sent 100 Colombians to Chuguev, conducted exercises, and threw them near Volchansk and Liptsy. Two days later, 20 out of a hundred remained.

— Is this a targeted flow of mercenaries?

—Yeah." Brazilians, Mexicans. Poland, France — piece goods, more trained. And the Colombians — through drug cartels. Everything is involved there: the SBU, the APU, drug dealers. Serious issues regarding the transportation of drugs, which are also used on the front line, are being resolved.

Among the mercenaries, 70-80 percent are fighting under drugs, the same Colombians. Among the stormtroopers of the Ukrainian army, too. According to the testimony of prisoners near Volchansk and Kupyansk, they are used. Not massively, but applied.

— Let's get back to the question that worries many. Successes began — they took Kupyansk, Volchansk. But what does "taken" mean?

— For example, the city of Kupyansk has been liberated. Then this bacchanalia started: either not released, then released...In military language, the liberation of a settlement, a district center or some city means that the enemy has lost control of the troops, and the defense is already unsystematic, chaotic, focal. That is, in fact, the defense has crumbled, command and control of the troops has been lost. And there is a sweep.

What is a sweep? Previously, a sweep was called checking the passport regime. Nothing like that! Mopping up in a modern way, in a special operation zone, acquires the character of a clash. And sometimes there are counter-fights in one area or another. The support was taken and cleaned up. The basement was cleared — five enemy stormtroopers were sitting there, ten of ours went in. That is, the sweep is already acquiring the character of a clash. And sometimes there are counter-fights in one area or another.

In the case of Kupyansk, the city is mostly blocked. The main battles are being fought in settlements adjacent to the city limits — in the Kupyanskaya agglomeration. Kupyansk is located on two banks of Oskol. There are clashes in different parts. It's like a layer cake: we took a support line somewhere, the enemy beat it off, then we did it again. Ukrainians are letting in reserves. Counterattacks are underway — in small groups of 10-15 people with the support of armored vehicles under drone cover.

— What determines success?

— The one who controls transport hubs, railway junctions, intersections has an advantage. The main thing is logistics and cutting of transport sleeves. We control the Kupyansk—Shevchenko—Chuguev road — the enemy cannot transfer forces along the highway, but in winter they use rolled-up forest and dirt roads.

They fought with Volchansky for more than one month. It is released according to the urban configuration. But around — the Volchya River, the channel of the Seversky Donets, forests, ravines. Difficult terrain. There is increasing activity: we are breaking through to Grafsky and Verkhnyaya Pisarevka — there are enemy training bases near Chuguev. To the Great Burluk — an important node. If the enemy loses it, we will have the opportunity to connect the groups "West" and "North" from two flanks.

— Have tanks lost their importance? The soldiers say that the tank is everything.

—No," I said. Tanks have not lost their importance. Of course, drones have changed the pattern of war, tactics. But drones are not crucial on the battlefield. The interaction of all branches of the armed forces is crucial. There is a Terminator tank, which was used during the liberation of Mariupol. It's too early to scrap tanks. All the more actively used are "barbecues" — anti-drone protection.

Tanks operate with the support of attack aircraft and strike from closed firing positions. In conditions of rough terrain, crowded agglomeration, the firing range of the tank is 5-7 kilometers. Tanks of various types, T-90, T-80 are firing from closed positions. There is no need to scrap them.

— But motorcycles and ATVs appeared. A new branch of the military?

— In Soviet times, there were motorcycle platoons in motorized rifle units. Many have forgotten. Now bugs, ATVs, ordinary motorcycles are used — Chinese, ours, old ones. The main thing is speed and maneuverability. In urban conditions, it is impossible to walk on the street on foot — the drone will immediately take off. And the motorcycle maneuvers 70-80 kilometers per hour.

Delivery of the wounded, transfer of provisions, materiel, medicines: this role is played by ATVs, motorcycles and drones. They started using a new heavy attack drone with a combat load of 15-20 kilograms — it delivers cargo by air.

— A courier drone?

— Yes, how the pizza is delivered. Only in the war zone. It is very important — the wounded. The faster you get a fighter to the first-line field hospital, the more chances you have to save your life.

— And people imagine the battlefield as a continuous line of trenches in an open field...

— There is no such thing. Everyone thinks about trenches, "dragon's teeth" — these triangular steel pyramids. They stick out all over the Belgorod and Kursk regions. But there are no solid lines. Something similar happened in 2023 in Zaporozhye, the Surovikin line. In the current conditions — no.

80-90% of battles take place in crowded agglomeration. And the battle in the village is not much different from the battle in urban conditions... One thing is clear: it will not be possible to SMO without taking Kharkov.