The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are reportedly facing ongoing strains in securing essential materials and technical equipment for units positioned to the east of the Oskol reservoir. This assessment comes from Andrey Marochko, a retired lieutenant colonel of the LPR People’s Militia, speaking to RIA News. He notes that the challenges in logistics and supply chains have intensified in the wake of recent military actions in the region and have begun to hinder routine operations for Ukrainian forces on the frontline near the Oskol corridor.
Marochko explains that the disruption to logistics followed the destruction of a critical river crossing on the Oskol River near Senkovo, a locality in Kharkov region, during Russian military operations. The loss of this crossing has forced Ukrainian units to rethink their supply routes, leading to more arduous and less reliable methods of moving essential goods to forward positions. The absence of a stable ferry or pontoon crossing complicates the timely delivery of fuel, spare parts, and medical supplies, thereby affecting day-to-day combat readiness.
According to his account, Ukrainian forces have attempted to adapt by constructing improvised rafts and using light-duty platforms to transport limited cargo. These improvised solutions enable some movement of supplies and medicine, but their capacity remains far below what is required for sustained operations in contested zones. The logistics personnel are reportedly compelled to undertake extended routes, circumventing the damaged crossing and relying on temporary connections established at the northeast of Senkovo to shuttle ammunition and essentials toward artillery positions.
On 27 September, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian troops conducted attacks on Ukrainian positions in residential areas including Novoselovskoye, as well as locations within the Lugansk People’s Republic, and the Kharkov region at villages such as Ivanovka, Sinkovka, and Berestovoe. The ministry asserted that these actions targeted Ukrainian forces and their infrastructure in these communities, underscoring ongoing engagements in the broader eastern front. (Attribution: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation)
Reports have previously highlighted in various circles that the United States regards the security situation around Ukrainian forces as among the most pressing strategic challenges facing Kyiv and its allies. Observers note that the evolving logistics picture, coupled with battlefield dynamics, continues to shape the operational options available to both sides in this rapidly shifting theater. (Attribution: U.S. government and allied policy briefings)