This month, General Oleksandr Sirsky was appointed as the head of the armed forces of Ukraine. At that time, the new army chief said, retreat is better than giving up life. And in the end, he did just that in the eastern city of Avdivka, Ukraine.
He announced the ‘withdrawal of the army from Abdivka to save lives’.
As for the capture of Avdivka, four months of relentless attack brought them this victory, despite heavy losses to the Russians. And the number of Ukrainian troops has decreased. Even the guns and ammunition have decreased.
The result is Moscow’s biggest victory since Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive last year. Earlier, in 2014, Russia temporarily occupied Abdivka. However, it was recovered by Ukraine.
So what does the fall of Abdivka mean after two years of war?
After the fall of Avdivka, the differences between Ukraine and Russia are becoming more pronounced. The population of Russia is 14.4 million. Which is more than three times than Ukraine. So despite losing thousands of troops in the war, Russia can quickly make up for that shortfall.
Ukrainian forces have also suffered losses in the war, although not as much as Russia. But they are quickly failing to meet that number.
And so Russia managed to take over a nearly destroyed city. Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade, which is stationed there, said Russian infantry attacked from all sides.
Russia deployed the most trained fighters in the region to take over the city. Not only that, they are dropping 60 bombs every day on Ukrainian bases.
The last time Russian troops occupied the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, Syrskyi was criticized for prolonging the war. He was accused of causing too many casualties and unnecessary casualties for a symbolic victory. Abhdivka is thought to have changed that experience.
But this Russian victory did not come overnight. Moscow has been attacking Avdivka since last October. Ukrainian troops were able to hold back their advance for a long time. In addition to Russian troops in Donbas, armored vehicles were also destroyed. Finally, Russia managed to capture the city known as the fortress of Ukraine. The reason it took them so long is that Ukraine has strengthened its defenses over the past 10 years.
Major Rodion Kudryashov, deputy commander of the Ukrainian army’s 3rd Assault Brigade, said Russia had not achieved its strategic goals. They have achieved a goal only in a well-managed war. He said, in fact, one Ukrainian army fought against seven Russian troops here.
But Rodion Kudryashov is still confident. According to him, Russian forces will not be able to advance towards cities like Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka. But that too is not so certain. What they can do, however, is intensify their offensive 15 kilometers east of the city of Donetsk, which has been under Russian control since 2014.
In the summer of 2022, Russia forced Ukraine to retreat once again. Cities like Lysichansk and Severodonetsk were surrounded by Russian forces. The Ukrainians could do little to stop their aggression.
However, a change came later that year with Western arms and military assistance. At that time, Kherson and Kharkiv regions were liberated from Russian forces by Ukrainian forces.
But the Ukraine-Russia war is now taking a different turn. Because global politics has a significant impact on the battlefield.
The lack of Western aid is seen as the main reason for Abdivka’s occupation.
The US is leading the supply of arms to Ukraine. However, other allies are working to help Ukraine. Yet the US has yet to approve a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine.
As a result, the shortage of ammunition and weapons of the Ukrainians became apparent. Morale is collapsing. In such a situation, even the fall of Avdivka, Ukrainian troops may have to retreat from the whole of Kiev.
Because Russian President Vladimir Putin still wants to occupy the entire Ukraine. And it is still possible for him to do so. It is this possibility that could help deter the Russian military and keep the West united. It may also raise doubts that Ukraine will never win this war.
Source: BBC
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