Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging allies to speed up arms deliveries, as bombings on the eastern front could be the first signs of a new attack, Reuters writes.
Russia is mainly focused on shelling the already badly damaged Bakhmut, which is currently Moscow’s main target. If the Russians manage to capture Bakhmut, it could be a springboard for further attacks on the two largest cities in Donetsk – Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Zelensky stated that Russia is trying to achieve as much as possible in this strike and added that the most important thing now is speed – quick decision-making and execution, and quick delivery of weapons.
Currently, the Ukrainian army uses more shells than the West can produce, and has indicated that it needs fighter jets and long-range missiles. The US and NATO have promised that Western support will not fade in the face of a threatening Russian attack. On Wednesday, the 15th of February, a meeting of NATO defense ministers is planned in Brussels. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expects Ukraine to launch a counteroffensive in the spring and said:
«Ukraine has urgent requirements to help it meet this crucial moment in the course of the war. We believe there’ll be a window of opportunity for them to exercise initiative.»
Moscow has announced that NATO poses a daily threat to Russia and is increasingly involved in the conflict. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has informed that Putin is preparing for new attacks and a longer war.
The Kremlin has stepped up attacks in southern and eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, and a new large-scale offensive is expected. Oleh Zhdanov, a Ukrainian military expert and reserve colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the situation is difficult, but the Ukrainians have it under control.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner group, reported in Telegram that Russian forces will not be able to capture Bakhmut in the near future because Ukraine is adding soldiers to its ranks every day.
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