Lugansk airport destroyed by Ukrainian military
2014-09-04
Posted by: badanov
By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Much of the airport at Lugansk city has been destroyed by Ukrainian tank units as they retreated, according to pro Russian media.
A little over 10 days ago the airport at Lugansk had been overrun by Ukrainian Army units, notably the Ukrainian 80th Airmobile Brigade and armor units and others, giving the Ukrainian government a foothold in one of the two cities in contention in this two month old war. Pro Ukrainian and western media at the time proclaimed battles in the area over.
But now, according to pro Russian militia, about 13 soldiers from the 80th Airmobile Brigade were captured in ongoing fighting for the airport as those forces were driven out of the area.
Three days ago, Ukrainian military units were forced to withdraw from the area by pro Russian militia, which the militias claimed as a victory. Ukrainian media reports at the time were that Ukrainian military forces had been considering making the airfield useless due to fears of a possible future Russian use in case of invasion.
Apparently Ukrainian military forces made good on that threat. However, it is also reported that Ukrainian forces have suffered heavy losses in those battles. Foreign media said the destruction of equipment and buildings in the area of the airport was claimed to be total.
Over the past three days much of the fighting in Lugansk had been concentrated around the airport and in areas north as militia forces were forced to expand the scope of their operations. Pro Russian media in Ukrainia, such as the military blogger Colonel Cassad have come to the conclusion that Ukrainian military units have been defeated in Lugansk and elsewhere, and that the Ukrainian government is planning a general retreat west to the Dnepr over the next ten days or so.
Pro Russian militia media reports that the Ukrainian forces have suffered severe losses in heavy and light armor around the area of Lutugino on Highway H21. Pro Russian militias also have captured several outlying settlements including Novosvetlovka, Khryaschevatoye and Novoannovka, as well as Georgievka.
Battles between pro Russian rebels and Ukrainian military units have continued to the north of Lugansk.
Militias claim to have captured a key town, Schastye which sits astride H21 at the crossing at the Donetsk River. Militias say two days ago they captured a high point in the area, near Vesyolaya Gora
According to data provided, the control of the crossing prevents Ukrainian military units from threatening Luganks from the northwest, using H21.
Around the area of Ilovaisk, in southeast Donetsk, the total reduction of the pocket of Ukrainian forces is nearly complete, according to both pro Russian and foreign media. The only remaining Ukrainian forces are in nearby Mospino.
Further south of Lugansk, pro Russia militia forces have captured Peremozhnoe. Ukrainian losses are reportedly six tanks, four APCs and ICVs, six trucks, and 120 killed.
Chris Covert writes news for Rantburg.com
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