KYIV: Ukraine’s Army Chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, said Wednesday the situation on the battlefield was “difficult” and that Russian security forces could be poised to strike deep into Ukrainian lines in the eastern Donetsk region.
Speaking on Wednesday, Syrsky conveyed that the operational landscape across the 1,000-kilometer front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine remains complex, with Kyiv’s forces adopting defensive postures following territorial gains by Russian troops – the first such gains in nearly a year.
During a visit to two brigades, Syrsky noted a concerning trend of escalating complications and the looming threat of enemy units penetrating deeply into Ukrainian battle formations. He highlighted challenges stemming from shortages in manpower and ammunition, compounded by delays in Western aid and internal deliberations regarding recruitment strategies amid the ongoing conflict, now in its third year.
War Between Ukraine and Russia
“In general, the operational situation on the eastern front remains difficult. The enemy continues to conduct offensive actions,” Syrsky stated in a post on Telegram. He indicated a decrease in enemy activity in certain areas, possibly attributable to significant losses incurred by Russian forces.
Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently asserted in an interview with French media that Russia’s advance in the east had been “halted,” Syrsky’s remarks underscore the persisting complexity and uncertainty on the ground. Zelensky also expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that the situation was “much better” than it had been three months ago.
The recent capture of Avdiivka, a symbolic frontline town near the Russian-held city of Donetsk, by Russian forces in February, following one of the bloodiest battles of the two-year conflict, serves as a reminder of the intense and volatile nature of the ongoing hostilities.
