Russian soldiers in Mariupol. AFP photo
Mr. Lange – political analyst and chief of staff of the German Minister of Defense on December 22 commented on the recent advances of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine and what Kiev needs to hinder development. more than that of the opponent.
Fighting in Ukraine has been concentrated around the eastern and southern front lines for months, with Kiev focused on reclaiming territory that has been occupied by Russia since the start of the war in February 2022.
However, Ukraine’s counteroffensive has been much slower than Kiev and its Western allies initially expected, and as winter weather rapidly approaches, experts predict that the situation could began to shift in Moscow’s favor.
Mr. John Kirby, coordinator of the White House National Security Council, also admitted to reporters in a briefing on Wednesday, December 21 that US intelligence has “every reason to believe that when the ground closes ice at the end of January and into February, which will make it easier for Russian forces to continue advancing.”
The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its assessment on Thursday of the war in Ukraine that Mr Kirby’s statements were “consistent” with its own observations.
According to Mr. Lange’s assessment, the Russian army is currently focusing most of its attacks on eastern and northeastern Ukraine, in which the battle for Avdiivka – an industrial village in Donetsk has witnessed some fierce fighting. most intense in recent months – is the focus of Moscow’s mission in the region.
“In addition to Russia’s ongoing major offensives at Avdiivka, Russia is regaining the initiative on the front in the northeast and east,” Lange wrote. However, the territorial gains achieved so far remain small.”
Meanwhile, on the southern front line, Russia mainly carries out airstrikes and drone attacks on Kiev’s forces, Mr. Lange commented.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported on Thursday that Russia had launched a series of airstrikes targeting the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow also launched drone attacks on northern and western regions of Ukraine on Wednesday and Thursday, including strikes targeting Kiev, according to Ukrainian sources cited by ISW guide.
Meanwhile, “Ukraine switched to defense mode,” Mr. Lange said.
The German official noted that while Ukraine’s defensive measures allow “Russia to occasionally gain territory,” Moscow is also suffering “extremely high losses” to make small advances along the front line. . A Ukrainian source said that Russia is losing nearly 10,000 troops for every kilometer gained near Avdiivka.