Russia Launches Major Offensive In Ukraine
According to the BBC, on the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Russia launches major offensive in Ukraine. This move has sparked concerns about a further escalation of the conflict, with a large contingent of Russian troops reportedly being mobilised for the offensive.
Reznikov told the French media that Russia would mobilize a significant force. In reference to Russia's September 2018 general mobilization of 300,000 conscripted troops, he said that counts at the border show the genuine amount might be closer to 500,000.
“„Russia is planning a major new offensive to mark the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine war.
- The Guardian
“„We do not underestimate our enemy. Officially, they announced 300,000, but when we see the troops at the borders, according to our assessments it is much more.
- Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gave a bleak assessment of the situation in the eastern region of Donetsk on Wednesday night, claiming that Russian troops were striving to achieve advances that they could highlight on the anniversary of their invasion in February.
COPYRIGHT_SZ: Published on https://stationzilla.com/russia-launches-major-offensive-in-ukraine/ by Alexander McCaslin on 2023-02-03T05:03:19.959Z
Situation In Ukraine Is Tense
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with ongoing fighting in the eastern part of the country. The war, which began in February of last year, has claimed the lives of over 13,000 people and has displaced over 1.5 million people from their homes.
“„The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with ongoing fighting in the eastern part of the country.
- BBC
The new offensive, planned for February 24th, is expected to take place in the conflict zone and has raised fears of a wider conflict in the region.
The international community has expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine, with many countries calling for an end to the violence. The United Nations has also voiced its concerns, calling for all parties to respect international law and to take steps to de-escalate the situation.
The new offensive in Ukraine has prompted renewed calls for peace, with the Business Standard reporting that "the international community must now work together to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine and to prevent further escalation of the violence."
“„The international community must now work together to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine and to prevent further escalation of the violence.
- Business Standard
War in Ukraine | Ukrainian Defence Minister: Russia planning 24 February offensive | Latest | WION
Ukraine Calls For Help From Western Allies
After receiving promises of tank shipments from Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Ukraine has repeated its requests for fighter planes. Moscow has gathered hundreds of soldiers and might "try something" to commemorate the anniversary of last year's first invasion, Oleksii Reznikov warned.
On February 23, Russia will commemorate Defender of the Fatherland Day, a day dedicated to the country's armed forces, so an assault on that day would be doubly appropriate. Russia says its soldiers are closing in on the town of Bakhmut in the eastern Donbass.
Yan Gagin, a Russian appointee, said on Wednesday that Bakhmut was "operationally encircled" after Russian mercenaries and regular forces conquered the adjacent town of Soledar last month.
U.S. think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has speculated that Moscow may try to "undertake a decisive step" and launch a "major attack" in the east. According to Mr. Reznikov, Ukrainian leaders are planning to "stabilise the front and prepare for a counter-offensive" in anticipation of a rumored Russian incursion.
The defense minister went to France to finalize an agreement to buy more MG-200 air defense radars, which he said would "substantially strengthen the ability of the armed forces to identify air threats, including winged and ballistic missiles and drones of different sorts."
According to Mr. Reznikov, Ukrainian intelligence has reported that President Putin has instructed his troops to conquer the Donbas by the end of April. On Monday, though, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned that Mr. Putin's military ambitions may not be confined to taking eastern portions of Ukraine.
Intense Fighting In The Donbas Region
Russia and the Wagner Group's mercenaries are battling it out in the Donbas area for the town of Bakhmut, according to Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar. She also said that Russian forces were seeking to retake Lyman, a key supplies center that had been taken back by Ukrainian forces in October.
“„Russian troops are actively trying to reach the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Our soldiers defend every centimetre of Ukrainian land.
- Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar
Mr. Zelensky cautioned that the circumstances on the front lines of the fight was challenging his men in a speech he delivered on Wednesday night. Mr. Zelensky has warned that the situation in the east of our nation is become more dire as the invaders' aggressive measures there have increased.
A former leader who escaped to Norway has told Reuters that he saw the execution and maltreatment of Russian detainees brought to Ukraine to fight for the Wagner group, despite the fact that the Wagner group claims to have been substantially engaged in Russia's recent successes in the east.
During his four months with Wagner, Andrei Medvedev made the unsubstantiated allegation that he saw the shooting of two persons who didn't want to fight. The US National Security Council estimates that over 80% of Wagner's Ukrainian workforce comes directly from prisons.
Final Words
Many experts are warning that the situation in Ukraine could quickly spiral out of control, particularly with the planned major offensive. The conflict has already claimed too many lives and caused too much destruction, and it is essential that the international community takes swift and decisive action to bring an end to the violence.
