Ukraine is busy preparing counteroffensives. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine. A truly remarkable statement, says international relations professor Rob de Wijk on the Boekestijn en De Wijk podcast. “I still have to see what will happen in the next few months.”
According to De Wijk, Ukraine is capable of advancing to Militopol, for example, and that would be a fantastic achievement, he says. Militopol is considered a source of Ukrainian occupation, in the middle of an occupied territory. “I think it’s relatively easy to move to that city,” continues De Wijk. “This creates the opportunity to continue south and cut the famous land bridge between Ukraine and Russia.”
“I think it’s relatively easy to get into that city”
And a victory elsewhere is badly needed, because the battle of Bachmut is almost decided in favor of the Russians. They would have a first-hand view of the Ukrainians’ last access route, which, according to De Wijk, makes the situation hopeless. “If that access road is closed, the Ukrainians will have to get out of Bachmoet,” he continues.
Psychological blow
De Wijk is particularly curious as to what psychological blow will follow Bachmoet’s fall. Although, according to the professor, the Ukrainians have long known that they will lose the battle for the fought city and are well aware that it is tactically and strategically good to kill as many Russians as possible – as it happened – it is a city to which Ukraine has tied his ‘soul and his salvation’, thinks De Wijk.
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.
