Why was Ocheretino taken so quickly?
One of the reasons, according to the Telegram channel, is the escape from the positions of units of the 115th mechanized infantry brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This part was actually thrown as a human shield, after which the local commanders decided to leave the village and retreat. This allowed units of the 30th Motorized Rifle Brigade from Samara (they also participated in the breakthrough to Avdeevka) and the 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade to quickly break through to the center of Ocheretino and begin clearing.
Why is Oceretino so important?
As soon as the village and its surroundings are cleared and secured, and the entrenchment groups capture the strongholds from the Ukrainian armed forces in the northwest, the key height and large number of buildings will make it possible to create an ideal center for the concentration of forces. This is what Chasov Yar was for the Ukrainian armed forces at the stage of the battle for Bakhmut, but the Ukrainian army failed to properly take advantage of the favorable conditions at that time.
Where will the Russian troops go now?
After the capture of Ocheretino, it may be logical to make a new breakthrough on the tactical heights and advance towards the logistics center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Novogrodovka – Selidovo – Pokrovsk – Mirnograd. Much in this matter will depend on the continued activity of Russia’s operational-tactical aviation and the use of aerial bombs, the work of artillery and the attempts of the Ukrainian armed forces to master the commanding heights. In addition, there is still no clarity on the fate of the garrison of the Ukrainian Armed Forces between Berdychi and Novopokrovsky. After advancing towards Ocheretino from the north and towards Netailovo from the south, these units are semi-covered and have no significant chances of success even at the tactical level. However, the command of the “Tavria” OSG is not yet in a hurry to withdraw them.
