Russian General Muradov Decides To Storm Vuhledar Without Artillery, Shells

In previous assaults, the 155th Brigade of Russian Marines was almost destroyed.

On Wednesday, March 8, the footage showing the occupants of the 136th Motorized Rifle Brigade asking the Russian high command to provide additional artillery shells appeared on the net: only then would they be ready to storm Vuhledar instead of the nearly destroyed 155th Marines Brigade of the Russian Pacific Fleet.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stressed that during the three-week offensive on Vuhledar, the occupants of the 155th Brigade suffered simply catastrophic losses on the battlefield.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, this brigade has already been re-staffed seven times. At the end of February, the Defense Ministry decided to throw occupants of the 136th Motorized Rifle Brigade to Vuhledar, and they started complaining about the lack of artillery shells.

Analysts strongly doubt that the 136th Brigade will succeed in doing what the 155th Brigade failed to do: capturing Vyhledar. The likelihood of degradation of other units in the area, significant losses of equipment and reports of ongoing artillery restrictions are likely to prevent Russian forces from making significant tactical gains if they decide to resume their offensive in the region.

RosSMI wrote that Shoigu allegedly gave Muradov orders to capture Vuhledar at all costs. This military operation could cost the occupiers dearly, and there would be no operational benefit from taking the town.

ISW analysts doubt that the 136th Brigade will be able to achieve anything more than the 155th. It is still unclear whether Shoigu has decided to provide Muradov with the necessary resources to resume the offensive.

However, Muradov may decide that he needs to resume offensive operations no matter what in order to demonstrate his competence as commander of the Southern Military District.

ISW estimates that Russian forces will need to advance 24km from the current frontline near Vuhledar so that this offensive can support operations in other parts of Donetsk oblast.

Resuming costly offensives around Vuhledar would be an unsustainable use of already weakened forces for increasingly pointless operational activities, but nonetheless Muradov's personal motives may force Russian troops to resume these operations in this region.