Before the attack, the Russians launched 10 Caliber missiles from the Black Sea, European journalist Geert Jan Hahn knows. “Ukraine says it has intercepted seven, but that means three have not been intercepted,” he explains.
“Any missile that hits a target is one too many”
And this is a blow to Ukraine, Hahn thinks. Especially since Ukraine reported yesterday that its anti-aircraft defenses are 83% functional. “Many drones are shot down, but every missile that hits a target is one too many,” he says. “And that was one with catastrophic consequences.”
Dots
Where Ukraine took a major blow in Lviv, it is distributing pinpricks across the country. According to Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, this is largely due to the fact that Ukraine has given the Russians the opportunity to dig in with ditches and trenches. He also complains about the lack of weapons.
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In making this statement, Hahn was particularly struck by the fact that Zelensky casually admitted that he could not liberate the entire country due to the same lack of weapons. “So they can’t start a front anywhere. That’s why he says it in an interview with an American audience on CNN, because he hopes there is more support.
Bachmoth
Progress has also been made at Bachmoet, albeit minimal. “If we discuss this progress on a daily basis, we can follow it, but how do you explain that Ukraine is gaining 1 to 2 kilometers a day and that it’s actually a much bigger game: encircling the Russians?”
British Ministry of Defense intelligence also reports that Russia is deploying troops to Bachmut normally used for Russia’s defence. “These are interesting developments, because it means they are driving people away from the motherland, while advocacy is key.”