The war in Ukraine has passed well over 300 days. Although there have not been the biggest movements in recent weeks, there are certain areas that stand out.
During Christmas, the games mostly took place in Bakhmut in Donetsk county, as well as Kreminna and Svatove in Luhansk.
– The Russian attacks against Bakhmut, which have been going on for months, have continued. There is still little progress and relatively large Russian losses.
This is what lieutenant colonel and head of the land force section at the Norwegian Military Academy, Palle Ydstebø, tells TV 2. He explains that Ukraine is now pushing hard in Kreminna.
Lieutenant Colonel Palle Ydstebø is head of the section for land forces at the war school. He is clear about what he thinks about the ultimatum that Russia gave Ukraine on Tuesday. Photo: Ole Thomas Halvorsen / TV 2
It has probably meant that Russia has strengthened the front lines in the area due to the Ukrainian pressure, according to it British Ministry of Defence.
The British point out that the Russian-occupied area around Kreminna has been relatively vulnerable since October. Ukrainian forces then succeeded in a counter-offensive in Lyman, west of Kreminna.
BAKHMUT: In recent months, there has been intense fighting in the strategically important town of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast. Here, smoke rises from the city after Russian attacks on 27 December. Photo: AP Photo / Libkos / NTB
Logistically important area
Despite Ukrainian pressure in Luhansk recently, neither party has made more progress than the other, explains Ydstebø.
– It has been quite quiet and little physical movement since Russia withdrew from Kherson last month.
Now, on the other hand, strength-building, preparations and preparations are underway to last through the winter, adds
– Russia has built extensive new defense systems in the area, and will probably prioritize holding the line here, believes the British Ministry of Defence.
Kreminna is logistically important for Russia’s front line in Donbas. The small town with the same name is also a smaller administrative center in the county of Luhansk.
The authorities in the Kremlin claim that the “liberation” of this area is a core justification for the war, they write further in the morning report.
Ultimatum: – No substance
On Tuesday, Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, gave an ultimatum to Ukraine.
Either the country must accept Moscow’s demands, or the Russian army will decide the outcome, he stated.
– The point is simple: It will be in their own best interest to meet the requirements. Otherwise, the matter will be decided by the Russian army.
The demands Lavrov referred to are the demilitarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine, as well as the elimination of threats to Russia’s security.
Ydstebø believes this threat is not real at first.
– Russia now seems to have established itself on the defensive in Ukraine. They are trying to build new forces during the winter and spring, for a possible offensive when it dries up again after the telesolution.
Believes the predecessor reveals Russia’s real plan
He believes this is the best Russia can do, given that they still have officers who can set up these new departments.
– Ukraine has so far shown solid resistance to what the Russian army has come up with. If the Russians do not achieve an enormous build-up of forces, there is no substance in that threat, says Ydstebø.
