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In mid-November 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky (45) thought he was very close to his goal. The Ukrainian army had just liberated Kherson, and the liberation of the other Russian-occupied territories also seemed only a matter of time. An optimistic Zelensky handed out medals to the soldiers who liberated the city and spoke of the “beginning of the end of the war.”
More than a year later, the war is still raging. The Ukrainian counter-offensive in the summer and autumn failed. Worse still, the Russians are taking the first steps to regain the initiative on the battlefield.
Why trench warfare is not good news for Ukraine
“The Russians have probably started offensive operations in several sectors of the front,” read the situation update from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin (71) wants to present military victories in the presidential elections in March 2024. Putin does not care that Rasputitsa, the mud season in Ukraine, complicates military successes.
The counter-offensive has exhausted the Ukrainians; they are currently mainly focusing on expanding their defensive positions. The Russians, on the other hand, are attacking with everything they have. Kupyansk, Avdiivka, Bakhmut and Zaporizhia: the Russian tactic of ‘human waves’ is used everywhere – with manageable success.
The territorial gains are small, the losses of fighters and vehicles are high. Yet the stagnation on the battlefield is not good news for Ukraine.
Because Russia’s production of artillery ammunition is currently easily dwarfed by that of the West. Those who enjoy artillery superiority can attack more easily. “In recent months, Russia has used its missiles sparingly and will probably have built up a decent stockpile again,” Dutch military expert Frederik Mertens recently told Newsweek.
The situation is similar with drones. “In the main sectors of the front we have the following ratio: one of our drones against five or seven enemy drones,” Yuriy Fedorenko, Ukrainian commander of the ‘Achilles’ company of the 92nd Air Brigade, explained in an interview. with the Suspilne TV channel. The battlefield is constantly monitored from the air. Surprise attacks become impossible.
Zelensky appeals to the army
In terms of range and precision, Kiev is clearly in the lead thanks to Western weapons. They outweigh many disadvantages. However, the current equipment of the Ukrainians is not sufficient to escape from the current trench war.
In view of the impending Russian winter offensive a few weeks ago, Zelensky called on the army to “be 100 percent effective despite all difficulties and despite all exhaustion.” The optimism of a year ago finally seemed to have disappeared at this point.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
