Ukraine Braces for Imminent Russian Offensive
In a recent news conference, Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, warned that a renewed Russian offensive is expected later this month. Despite the flow of Western weapons to Ukraine, the country is still not fully equipped to face the Russian forces. However, Reznikov stated that Ukraine has reserves to defend against the impending attack and has negotiated the supply of new long-range missiles.
“I am sure that we will win this war,” said Reznikov, “but it will cost us more lives without the delivery of Western fighter jets.” The defense minister expressed confidence in Ukraine’s victory, but the country is still in dire need of more advanced military support.
Ukraine is facing heavy fighting in the eastern regions of Bakhmut, Vuhledar, and Lyman, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russia is expected to prioritize the takeover of the entire eastern Donbas region, as well as launch offensives in the south and east of Ukraine to create a land corridor across all the areas it currently occupies.
The Russian army has been throwing more and more soldiers into combat, and the Russian paramilitary group Wagner has been leading much of the fighting in the Bakhmut area. Russia’s gains in the region have isolated Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, and the UK Ministry of Defense has reported that the two main roads into the city are likely being threatened by direct fire.
Reznikov confirmed that Ukrainian troops will begin training on German-made Leopard tanks from Monday. The country’s new long-range missiles have a range of 90 miles (150 km), but they will only be used against Russian units in occupied areas of Ukraine, not against Russian territory.
“During the 346 days of this war, I often had to say that the situation at the front was tough. And that the situation is getting tougher,” said President Zelensky in a recent address. The Russian army’s continued efforts to seize control of Bakhmut, the longest battle since the invasion of Ukraine, shows their determination to control the entire Donbas region in the country’s east.
As the one-year anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion approaches on February 24th, the defense minister warned that Russia may launch an offensive as a symbolic gesture. Although Russia does not have all of its resources ready, they may still choose to do so anyway.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, and the country is bracing for the imminent Russian offensive. The need for Western support has never been more pressing, as the country battles to defend itself against the formidable Russian forces.
