Leader of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, notes the intensification of the Russian offensive after Putin’s re-election, and points to a lack of high-tech weapons and trained military personnel.
(DW) Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, admitted on Saturday (13/04) on the Telegram social network that his army is in a difficult position as the advance of Russian troops towards Chasiv Yar in Donetsk province intensifies.
“The situation on the eastern front has deteriorated considerably in recent days, mainly due to a significant intensification of the enemy offensive following the presidential elections in Russia” – in which, predictably, Vladimir Putin was re-elected.
On the other hand, the “most problematic” areas would have been reinforced, in particular with anti-aircraft defenses, Syrsky continued. The Russian army is attacking Ukrainian positions in the Lyman and Bakhmut sectors “with assault groups supported by armored vehicles”, as well as in the Pokrovsk sector.
In addition, “the hot, dry weather has made it possible for tanks to access most of the open areas,” the military leader added. Despite the losses, the Russian army is mobilizing “new armored units”, which allows it to achieve “tactical successes”.
“More high-tech weapons and more military training”
According to Kiev, in recent days the Russians have intensified their pressure around Chasiv Yar, which is now “under constant fire”. Situated on top of a hill, the important eastern city lies 20 kilometers west of Bakhmut and less than 30 kilometers southeast of Kramatorsk, the main city in the Ukrainian-controlled region and a crucial rail and logistics hub for the national army.
Despite the reinforcement of the “most problematic” areas with anti-aircraft defenses, “the question of technical superiority over the enemy in the field of high-tech weapons has once again arisen,” Syrsky explained. “Only in this way will we be able to defeat a larger enemy,” and it is also necessary to “improve the quality of training of military personnel,” he added. He took command of the Armed Forces in February, after President Volodimir Zelenski dismissed his popular predecessor, Valery Zaluzhny.
For months Kiev has been asking the Western allies for more ammunition and air defense systems. But the aid is running out due to political blockades in Washington, forcing Ukrainian soldiers to save ammunition.
At the same time, President Zelenski warned that the enemy was preparing a large-scale offensive at the end of May or in June, without specifying where. In the war that has been going on since February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian army is still finding it difficult to recruit personnel in the face of the larger and better-equipped Russian forces.
av (AFP,Lusa) *** TbDCPFYIt***