**Russian Paratroopers Reinforce Vehicles with Asbestos, But Ukraine Faces Bigger Problems**
In the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast, Russian paratroopers have been using asbestos to reinforce their armored vehicles. This move is not meant to make their vehicles more cancer-resistant, but rather to protect them from enemy drones and artillery. However, this desperate measure shows that the Russians are struggling to gain ground against Ukrainian forces.
**Ukrainian Troops Face Challenges Despite Inflicting Heavy Casualties**
Despite inflicting heavy casualties on Russian attackers, Ukrainian troops are still outnumbered and outgunned. The 24th Mechanized Brigade is defending its positions around Chasiv Yar, but the Russians have been making slow gains at a high cost in lives and equipment.
**Asbestos-Armed BMD-2s Still Vulnerable**
The Russians’ use of asbestos to protect their BMD-2 infantry fighting vehicles may not be enough. These lightweight aluminum vehicles are still vulnerable to enemy gunfire and artillery, and even more so to drones that can attack from above and behind.
**Ukrainian Drones Remain a Threat**
Despite the Russian efforts, Ukrainian drones continue to wreak havoc on the 98th Airborne Division’s paratroopers. The 24th Mechanized Brigade’s drones have been relentless in their attacks, making life extremely difficult for the Russians.
**Kostiantynivka at Risk**
As the Russians advance toward Kostiantynivka, an industrial town with a pre-war population of around 70,000, Ukrainian defenses are becoming increasingly threatened. The fall of Kostiantynivka would be a significant blow to Ukraine, and could lead to the city being steadily demolished.
**Commentary**
This desperate use of asbestos by Russian paratroopers highlights the difficulties they face in their attempts to capture key cities in eastern Ukraine. Despite making slow gains at a high cost, the Russians are still struggling to achieve significant breakthroughs.
The continued effectiveness of Ukrainian drones against the Russian army also underscores the importance of air power in modern warfare. As the conflict drags on, it seems likely that both sides will continue to rely on these airborne assets to gain an advantage over their opponents.
**Analysis**
In recent weeks, the Russians have been making rapid gains toward Kostiantynivka from the southwest. This advance has pushed back Ukrainian troops and captured significant territory along the city’s southern flank. The Russian vanguard is now just nine kilometers from the outskirts of Kostiantynivka.
If the Russians are able to break through at Rusyn Yar, it would be a critical tactical gain that could severely degrade Ukrainian defensive depth. However, even if Kostiantynivka falls, the city’s defenses tend to get denser as one gets closer to the bigger cities.
The implications of this ongoing conflict are far-reaching and will continue to shape the course of events in eastern Ukraine.
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