“The situation on the Eastern Front has deteriorated significantly in the past few days,” said army chief Oleksandr Syrskyj on Saturday. Since the presidential election in Russia, the Russian army has “significantly increased” its offensive. Ukraine therefore wants to “strengthen the most problematic defense zones with electronic warfare and air defense,” Syrskyj announced.
“Difficult and tense”
Days ago, the Ukrainian army had spoken of a “difficult and tense” situation around the city of Chasiv Yar. The area is “under constant fire.” Chasiv Yar is about 20 kilometers west of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian troops in May last year after months of fighting.
“The enemy is attacking our positions in the Lyman and Bakhmut sectors with battle groups supported by armored vehicles,” Syrskyi said. In the Pokrovsk region, Russian troops tried to break through Ukrainian defense lines with dozens of tanks and armored troops.
Russia is increasing troops
According to the army chief, Russia is in the process of strengthening its troops with new units. As a result, the Russian army achieved “temporary tactical success.” Only through the use of high-tech weapons can Ukraine succeed in “gaining technical superiority over the enemy,” Syrskyj warned: “This is the only way we can defeat a larger enemy and create the conditions to take the strategic initiative.” In addition, the training of Ukrainian soldiers must be improved, especially in the infantry sector.
Given the difficult situation in the east of the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned a few days ago that his country would be defeated in the war against the Russian attackers. Ukraine is desperately waiting for further military aid from the USA, which has been the country’s main military support since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. Since the end of last year, Republicans in the US Congress have been blocking a new Ukraine aid package worth $60 billion (around €55 billion) under pressure from former President Donald Trump.
