Ukrainian authorities fear that Moscow will prepare a major offensive to coincide with the first anniversary of the start of the war on February 24.
ADVERTISING
After the initial attack, Russian troops failed in their attempt to take the Ukrainian capital Kiev and a few months later they withdrew, remaining in the east and south of the country.
But since January, the Russian Army, supported by the Wagner paramilitary group and reinforced by the mobilization of civilians, has returned to the offensive, especially in the eastern region of Donbass, which is part of the territories that Moscow claims as annexed regions.
“Currently, fighting is progressing successfully in the areas” of Bakhmut and Vuhledar, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a statement released after a meeting with officials from the army and his ministry.
ADVERTISING
“Unpredictable” climbing
The Russian minister cited the recent conquests of seven cities, including Soledar, a municipality neighboring Bakhmut that Ukrainian forces ceded in January.
Shoigu also warned the West that an increase in military aid to Ukraine could “lead to an unpredictable level of escalation” of the conflict.
Experts agree that Russia is preparing a major offensive for late winter or early spring (northern hemisphere, autumn in Brazil), with the aim of conquering at least all of Donbass, which is currently partially occupied by Moscow's forces.
ADVERTISING
Pavlo Kyrylenko, governor of the Donetsk region, where Bakhmut is located, acknowledged that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult in this city, according to an interview published this Tuesday by radio Svoboda.
The regional official said that “everything possible” will be done to prevent the city from falling, but stated that Ukrainian soldiers “will not be used as cannon fodder” to maintain the position at any cost.
On Saturday night (4), Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky acknowledged that the situation was “getting more complicated” on the entire “front”, particularly in Bakhmut.
ADVERTISING
Taking Bakhmut would open the way for an offensive on Kramatorsk, the main Kiev-controlled city in the Donbass mining basin.
About 150 kilometers to the south, Moscow has also gone on the offensive in recent weeks at Vugledar, a railway crossing linking southern and eastern Ukraine.
In northern Donbass, the Russians are also putting pressure on their adversary in areas that Ukraine managed to reconquer in September.
ADVERTISING
Few ammunition
Sergiy Solomon, a Ukrainian soldier, confirmed that Ukrainian forces may run out of resources against the Russians.
“The Russians have tanks, armored vehicles and Grads (rockets), everything you can imagine,” said the man, who previously worked as a construction worker.
“We have equipment, but not much ammunition,” he said.
Americans and Europeans have decided to send tanks to the Ukrainian Army so that it can better face a Russian offensive or launch its own.
But shipments remain below Ukraine's expectations and Westerners remain reluctant to deliver aircraft.
The United States promethey had weapons with ranges of up to 150 kilometers, which Kiev claimed to attack Russian ammunition depots and supply routes. The delivery schedule remains uncertain.
Ukraine is at a disadvantage in the number of men and in terms of ammunition to face the Russian Army, which outnumbers them. It needs more modern and accurate weapons to compensate for its deficits.
(With AFP)
