Analysts said the Russian offensive would likely prevent Ukrainian forces from preparing personnel and equipment to continue counteroffensive operations.
The Russian invaders were able to launch offensive operations in several sectors of the front simultaneously. This became possible due to the delay of Western partners in providing military aid to Ukraine. This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to analysts, Russian troops are conducting at least three offensive operations:
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along the border of Kharkov and Lugansk regions, in particular, in the direction of Kupyansk and Liman;
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in Avdeevka and its surroundings;
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near Robotino in the west of the Zaporozhye region.
ISW and some Ukrainian and Western sources estimate that delays in Western security assistance, such as artillery ammunition and critical air defense systems, have prevented Ukrainian troops defending Avdiivka from advancing of Russia.
It was noted that a critical lack of equipment provided by the West and fears of a complete cessation of military aid from the United States led Ukrainian troops to concentrate equipment along the entire front, which probably prompted to the Russian troops to take advantage of the situation.
They launched an offensive outside Avdiivka – along the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk regions since the beginning of January 2024 and in the western part of Zaporozhye region in the last 48 hours.
ISW believes that this Russian offensive will likely prevent Ukrainian forces from preparing personnel and equipment to continue counteroffensive operations.
At the same time, Ukraine will suffer if it just digs in and tries to defend itself until the end of 2024, as some Western states and analysts suggest.
Let’s recall that the commander of the operational-strategic group of Tavria troops, Alexander Tarnavsky, said that during the four months of the active phase of the Avdeevka defense operation, the Russian Federation lost more than 47 thousand military personnel and more than 1,300 pieces of equipment, including five aircraft.
The General Staff assessed the situation at the front
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.