Battles of Voznesensk
Tim De Zitter
Supporting Ukraine - Lifecycle manager Land Combat Missiles , GBAD and CUAS and GMG systems (surveying Loitering Munitions) @Belgian Defense - OSINT non-professional
Introduction
After capturing the city of Kherson (1), Russian forces advanced west towards the city of Mykolaiv (2). While Russian forces attacked Mykolaiv (2), a Russian column detached and pushed north, engaging Ukrainian forces twice at the small city of Voznesensk(3).
The majority Russian-speaking city was considered strategically significant to Russian forces due to having a bridge (1 and 2) across the Southern Bug river and its proximity to the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant (3).
If the Russian forces get past the bridge, there would be nothing to stop them attacking and seizing another of Ukraine’s nuclear power facilities.
In their march to gain that foothold, Russian troops apparently thought they’d hit a little resistance when they got to the other side of the bridge into Voznesensk. But they underestimated, or were misinformed about their opponents.
“They were advancing with tanks, mortars, lots of armor, and artillery, firing chaotically into the city center, striking a kindergarten and near an orphanage,” Voznesensk’s Mayor Yevheni Velichko told Livesay.
First battle (02–03 Mar?22)
On 2 March 2022, elements of the Russian 126th Naval Brigade advanced northwest towards the city of Voznesensk from Mykolaiv, attempting to find a crossing over the Southern Bug river. The Russian column was alleged to have consisted of 400 men and 43 vehicles.
In preparation, Yevgeniy Velichko, the mayor of the city and one of the Ukrainian commanders, stated that local businessmen helped Ukrainian forces create numerous roadblocks
and destroyed two bridges over the Mertvovod River in Voznesensk (4) (7),
as well as digging out the shoreline of the river so that Russian vehicles couldn’t ford it.
Russian forces initiated the battle by shelling the city, damaging several buildings. Russian paratroopers were dropped to the southwest of the city, while an armored column advanced from the southeast, staging in the neighboring village of Rakove (5).
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Russian snipers created nests in several houses in the village, and Russian forces set up a base at a local gas station (6)
A Russian APC fired at the local Territorial Defense Forces base, killing several Ukrainian soldiers. However, Russian forces were unable to push into Voznesensk, and Ukrainian artillery began shelling Russian positions, preventing Russian artillery from setting up their mortars.
By nightfall, Russian tanks began firing into Voznesensk, but retreated after being met with counterfire. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces continued to shell Russian positions, destroying some Russian vehicles. Ukrainian soldiers advanced on foot, attacking Russian vehicles with American-supplied FGM-148 Javelin missiles, destroying at least 3 tanks.
Ukrainian forces were also able to down a Russian Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter.
Russian forces fully retreated on 3 March, abandoning equipment and vehicles.
During their retreat, Russian artillery shelled Rokove, hitting a clinic. Russian forces also looted the village. The Russian column retreated 40 miles (64 km) to the southeast.
In total, 30 Russian vehicles, including some tanks, were abandoned.
Among them, Ukrainian forces were able to salvage 15 tanks. Local officials stated that around 100 Russian soldiers were killed and 10 were captured, while Ukrainian forces suffered some causalities, mainly among the Territorial Defense Forces. 12 civilians were killed during the battle.
Second battle (09–18 Mar?22)
On 9 March, Russian forces conducted another attack on Voznesensk. Ukrainian forces positioned a defense near the destroyed bridge. The following day, Russian forces captured the city.
However, Ukrainian forces recaptured Voznesensk three days later on 13 March.
By 18 March, Ukrainian counter attacks around the area?, had pushed the Russians 120 kilometres back from the city.
The local Ukrainian forces continued to fortify the city after the second assault, believing that Russian forces would continue their attacks.
References