KIEV — The Ukrainian armed forces have moved into a defensive position, according to military analysts, after their summer counteroffensive failed to make significant progress against the Russian army and as winter weather sets in after nearly 22 months of war.
“In recent weeks, Ukraine “has mobilized a concerted effort to improve field fortifications as its forces move to a more defensive position along much of the front,” the British Ministry of Defense said in an assessment.
The Kremlin’s defenses withstood firmly for months the assault by the Ukrainians equipped with Western weapons but lacking essential air cover, on a front of around 1,000 kilometers (600 miles).
Almost all of the fighting in recent weeks has been with artillery, missiles and drones because the mud and snow impede the movement of troops.
Unlikely major Russian advance
“Russia continues local offensive options in several sectors, but individual attacks rarely exceed platoon size,” according to the British analysis. “A major Russian advance is unlikely, and the front is generally static.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes kyiv’s Western allies will tire of funding the costly Ukrainian war, allowing Kremlin forces to launch a new offensive next year against a weakened enemy. He has put the Russian economy on a war footing in preparation for it.
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday he was confident Washington would keep its promise to send billions of dollars worth of aid to continue the fight. Congress has begun its end-of-year recess without approving the sending of some $61 billion to Ukraine.
Zelensky also said that next year Ukraine plans to produce 1 million drones, which have become a key weapon. They are relatively cheap and can be used to destroy expensive supplies.
Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Minister of Strategic Industries, said the million drones will be so-called remote-viewing drones, which have a real-time video function.
Source: With information from AP
