Under the influence of a meteorological phenomenon called “Rasputitsa”, the earth turns to mud when autumn arrives in Ukraine. Given this climatic context, Ukrainians would only have a one-month window to reclaim their territory.
Could the arrival of autumn disrupt the course of the war? When the rainy season sets in, the earth on the ground turns to sticky mud. A meteorological phenomenon common in Ukraine, but in a war context, this “rasputitsa” can cause difficulties, both on the part of Ukrainian soldiers and Russians.
And with good reason: the “raspoutitsa” – which literally means “the bad road season” in Russian – changes the face of the battlefields by radically altering the terrain’s texture. It is then difficult to circulate military tanks and armored vehicles without getting stuck.
“The earth is turning to mud, preventing the giant tanks from advancing as they should,” summarizes Anthony Bellanger, International Policy Consultant at BFMTV.
The danger of trench warfare
If The colors of the Ukrainian flag reappear in Lyman With the Russians withdrawing from the city on Saturday, this new challenge risks making the task more difficult for Ukrainian soldiers, who are attempting to continue their counter-offensive by heading towards the city of Donetsk. Under the influence of the return of rain and that embarrassing slush, opposition between the two countries could then devolve into trench warfare.
In addition, there is the prospect of cold weather this winter, which could also affect the less resistant material. “There is a race for as much territory as possible,” Institute for Prospective and Security Europe President Emmanuel Dupuy told BFMTV.
Given this climatic context, Ukrainians would only have a one-month window to reclaim their territory.