The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has witnessed a series of strategic setbacks for Kyiv as multiple towns in the eastern Donetsk region have fallen to Russian forces. This grim turn of events follows reports of Ukrainian troops being outmanned and critically under-supplied, juxtaposed with an emboldened Russian military intensifying its offensive operations.
In recent weeks, the Donetsk region, which has been a hotbed of conflict since 2014, became the epicenter of the war. As one Ukrainian serviceman put it, they are “firing one shell in response to 10 ones from their side,” revealing the stark contrast in artillery capabilities. Russian tactics have been brutal yet effective, using overwhelming artillery and glide bombs, combined with relentless troop advancements with apparent disregard for their own casualties and equipment losses.
The fall of towns such as Ocheretyne to Russian forces has been attributed to systemic failures within the Ukrainian command structure, and a stark deficiency in military resources. “My company was literally destroyed, we carried out tasks in the worst conditions and no one cared, we stormed without support and with stupid command, we defended with almost no support and with the same stupid command,” a Ukrainian serviceman from Brigade 155 lamented on social media.
The sense of crisis is compounded by changes in Ukraine’s military leadership, with Oleksandr Syrskii stepping in as the new commander-in-chief, taking over from Valerii Zaluzhnyi amid differences with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russian analysts eagerly pin the blame on these leadership changes and the lack of arms, ammunition, and air defense systems. “The downside is that all of Ukraine knows, all the servicemen know that there’s no money, no equipment, a dire shortage of air defence systems,” said Vladimir Prokhvatilov from the Russian Academy of Military Sciences.
Ukraine’s military chief Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed the dire situation at the front, stating that “the situation at the front has worsened,” as they face significant Russian forces. He mentioned that Ukrainian troops had strategically withdrawn from several villages, including Berdychi, Semenivka, and Novomykhailivka, to save “the lives and health of our defenders” while awaiting crucial military aid from the United States.
Despite these setbacks, there remain pockets of resistance and signs of strategic consolidation on the Ukrainian side. According to Syrskyi, fresh brigades have been deployed to the most affected areas, and in some sectors, the Ukrainian military has been enhancing its fortifications. He also underscored the importance of the impending delivery of U.S. military aid which might help to stabilize the situation, implying that time is of the essence.
On the other side, the Russian offensive shows no signs of slowing down. They aim to move towards larger towns and logistical hubs in the Kyiv-controlled part of Donetsk, such as Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, and Chariv Yar. The situation around Ocheretyne is particularly worrying, with analysts predicting that Russian forces will only escalate their pressure.
Relevant articles:
– ‘We stormed without support’: Ukraine towns fall to Russia in latest defeat , Al Jazeera English, 05/01/2024
– Ukraine forced to withdraw from more villages as Russia intensifies pressure, The Hill, 04/29/2024
– Russian advances could give it a shot at Ukraine’s eastern ‘fortress belt,’ war analysts warn, Yahoo News UK, 04/29/2024
– Ukraine’s military chief warns of deteriorating situation on frontline, Al Jazeera English, 04/28/2024