Russia currently does not have the resources to stop Ukraine’s advance in Kharkiv, says MPKK’s military professor.
12.9. 23:31•Updated 12.9. 23:32
Ukraine’s counterattack in Kharkiv in the northeastern part of the country has led to the rapid retreat of Russian troops. Ukraine has long signaled that it will launch an attack further south in the Kherson region.
Russia swallowed the bait and concentrated its forces in Kherson, but was surprised in the direction of Kharkov. Ukraine says it has recaptured the cities of Balakliya, Izjum and Kupyansk in the region.
A military professor Janne Mäkitalo The National Defense University (MPKK) assessed in an interview with A-Studio on Monday that Russia does not have the power to stop Ukraine’s progress with its current resources.
– For Russia, the supply of irrigation and drinking water in the strategic Crimea, energy economy and land connection are so important that the focus of the forces has been formed there. Those groups will not quickly move in the direction of Donbass and Kharkiv, says Mäkitalo.
President of Ukraine to Volodymyr Zelensky talks about preparing for the next 90 days can, according to Mäkitalo, hint that military operations will be continued throughout the fall and winter until Russia has no chance to launch a counterattack.
Criticism of Putin has increased
According to Russia, it is a tactical withdrawal and reorganization of troops, says the leading researcher of the Foreign Policy Institute (UPI) Sinikukka Saari. For example, from the ranks of the separatist and Chechen forces, however, criticism of the Russian military leadership has been expressed.
Saari believes that a decisive phase has been reached in the war.
– Now, in a way, the fact that this war is going to be really long-term and heavy hits us. The losses are really painful for Russia.
According to Saare, Russian talk shows have also featured a surprisingly direct president to Vladimir Putin directed criticism. At the “lowest level” of Russia’s regional administration, Putin has been criticized and demands have been made for his resignation.
– The fact that Putin has remained silent really shows that the momentum is now in Ukraine. It would be worthwhile to put pressure on Russia in different ways now, so that there would be more of these cracks and the scenes might start to collapse, says Saari.
“Unlikely to launch”
In the Russian media, the possibility of a general movement has been presented in the light of recent events. According to Mäkitalo, this is unlikely.
According to him, the background may be the fear that those invited would refuse to enter the service. There are already examples from the direction of Kharkiv, where Russia’s best-equipped troops have been moved in the direction of Kherson.
– The majority of the captured soldiers are forced recruits from the Donbas region who relied on poor training. So what kind of soldiers are they who agree to go to a war that seems doomed? Mäkitalo says.
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