For weeks, the administrative center of Severodonetsk was at the center of the Russian offensive. Military experts at the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) consider that Russia’s artillery capability “along with indisputably weakened infantry units” is insufficient to advance in Sieverodonetsk. The Russian military, on the other hand, reports successes in the region.
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Alice Hohl (text), Peter Pfeiffer (image), Richard Walde (video), Georg Filzmoser (editing), all ORF.at/agents
Ukraine has admitted the loss of the village of Metyolkine southeast of Sieverodonetsk. But the British secret service also speaks of Russia’s difficulties in its advance, which, according to the analysis, is also due to the weakness of the Russian air force. These are very likely to be one of the most important factors in Russia’s very limited successes.
So far, air forces tend to avoid risk in their maneuvers and have failed to achieve air supremacy. This has increased the pressure on Russian ground forces, which are now increasingly depleted.
“Historical Week”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects a “demonstrative” stepping up Russia’s hostile actions ahead of the “historic week” when the EU will give an answer on Ukraine’s candidate status. Moscow will not only target Ukraine, but other European countries as well.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba emphasized his people’s willingness to fight – even without Western weapons: “If we don’t get weapons, fine, we will fight with shovels, but we will defend ourselves (…)”. Kuleba, the Russians have the 15:1 artillery advantage. Kuleba: “We cannot win the war with such an imbalance.”
Debate: What could lead Russia to peace?
The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine is being fought with unchanged severity. Initial peace talks froze. How should the West’s reactions be assessed so far? What chances does diplomacy currently have? What could lead Russia to peace?
Discuss with debate.ORF.at!