The Ukrainian armed forces are gaining four posts on the front, but it is clear that this is not what Kiev hoped for. “These are tough battles,” says defense specialist Peter Wijninga of the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague. “The Ukrainians have not yet deployed their main force. They still have several brigades in reserve.’
Wijninga concludes that this is still the introduction to the real offensive. Never mind that the Ukrainian advance is difficult, the Russians dug in well with sometimes three line lines up to 30 kilometers deep. “It really is from every bush to the next bush to clear the nests of the Russian resistance. It takes a long time, but it goes on steadily.’
Prigozin
Wagner’s boss Prigozhin said via audio message that Russia can expect victories in the near future, but it was unclear whether Prigozhin was referring to the Russian military or his own Wagner troops. Wijninga does not know whether Wagner troops are currently deployed: “Apparently only 2% of Wagner troops have signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry. The rest apparently doomed.”
According to Wijninga, almost all of the Wagnerians who took part in the march on Moscow have now been sent to Belarus, “that’s about 5,000 men”. The remnant of Wagner troops are still in Luhansk province and it is questionable whether they are deployed at this time.
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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.
