While the whole world was focused on the tragic passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the Ukrainian army pulled off a very successful operation near Kharkiv. In just 4 days, the Ukrainian army has reconquered an area of more than 2500 km2, most of which took the Russians months of fighting to conquer. This incredible feat seems like a miracle, but it is not. It is the result of months of preparation. Below I will tell you what their cunning plan looked like.

•Step 1: Spread rumours about an offensive somewhere else

Since June there have been many rumours that a Ukrainian counterattack would take place near Kherson, in the south. The Ukrainian government sometimes confirmed this, dropped hints and the media created a hype. Everyone became convinced that Ukraine would attack Kherson.

•Step 2: Convince the Russians that you are serious

In July and August, Ukraine used the American HIMARS artillery system very effectively and hit many targets in the south of Ukraine. It seemed like they were weakening the Russians there and prepare for a counterattack. Russia became convinced that Ukraine would attack there and started moving their best troops to the Kherson area, making the East of Ukraine vulnerable.

•Step 3: Start the offensive

End of August/early September it became clearer that Ukraine would counterattack in the Kherson Oblast. They attacked important bridges cutting off Russians and a few weeks later the offensive started. Russia started to panic and sent even more troops to the South, leaving the East even more exposed.  

•Step 4: Wait for the right moment to strike

While fighting in the South continued, a big group of strong Ukrainian units waited in the East for the right moment. They knew that the weak line of defence in the East would easily break based on the quality of the troops and their low morale. They just needed the green light.

•Step 5: Attack and Succeed

On September 6, with all eyes focused on the South, the Ukrainian army attacked and broke through the weak Russian defences. Many Russians fled, left behind everything and Ukraine easily reconquered a large part of their country.

Слава Україні! 

Originally posted on Instagram on September 11, 2022