In southwestern Ukraine, 75,000 Russian troops are putting increasing pressure on the Dobas region. Zaporizhia was said to have been hit by at least 17 Russian missiles, according to the city’s mayor, “a harbinger of a heavy artillery duel”.
According to Peter Wijninga, a defense expert at the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague, this appears to be the start of the anticipated spring offensive. “There is a certain escalation of the battle going on.” Especially near Luhansk in Bachmut, “it seems like the grid is closing down around that city.” According to Wijninga, the Russian army can push from here to cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
At least 17 Russian missiles hit the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia on Friday morning, Acting Mayor Anatolii Kurtiev said. The attacks targeted energy infrastructure, he told messaging app Telegram.
deficiencies
The battle should be primarily artillery warfare. “This is the heavy weapon that the Russians still rely heavily on, and indeed the Ukraine too.” The intensity that is now visible heralds a heavy “artillery duel in the Donbas region,” says Wijninga.
The Russian army is currently particularly short of tanks. Many have been lost or seized by Ukraine. That will make an offensive more difficult, Wijninga thinks. At the same time, the military itself seems “reasonably well equipped”.
Fighter jets
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has again called for modern combat aircraft for his country. Further military support from France and Germany would be a turning point in the war against Russia, Zelensky said. “The sooner we have heavy long-range weapons and modern aircraft for our pilots, the sooner this Russian aggression will end,” he added.
But it still takes some work, says Wijninga. “Not just politically, but also logistically and operationally.” According to French President Macron, rapid delivery of planes is impossible. Dutch Defense Minister Ollongron believes the consequences of the delivery of the F-16 fighters should be seriously considered.
Live Blog | Day 352 of the war in Ukraine
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
