Russia attacks east Ukraine as milestone nears; Kyiv seeks arms
Al JazeeraIn the 50th week of the war, clashes intensify along the eastern front lines, as Kyiv claims heavy losses among Russian troops. “We’ve observed that the Russian occupation forces are redeploying additional assault groups, units, weapons, and military equipment to the east,” Ukrainian military intelligence representative Andriy Chernyak told the Kyiv Post on February 1. “I’ve often had to say the situation at the front is tough and is getting tougher, and it’s that time again,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on February 4 in a nightly video address. Kofman believed Russia’s “force quality appears relatively low” and “can likely offer a stubborn defence, but less liable to be suitable for offensive operations”. “If the fighting drags on through the spring and summer and Ukraine inflicts enormous casualties on Russia while liberating substantial territory, it will become increasingly difficult for Zelensky to grant Putin a face-saving exit from the war and permit Russia’s continued but temporary occupation of Crimea,” wrote Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a retired US Army officer.