Ukraine is adopting an increasingly defensive tactic at the front, according to a new intelligence report.
At the same time, concerns about a large-scale Russian spring offensive are growing, as the West wavers in its support for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s counter-offensive was less successful than many had hoped – and in the face of increasingly bleak winter weather, Ukrainian forces are now taking a more defensive position, according to a new report from the British Ministry of Defence.
“In recent weeks, the Ukrainian army has made efforts to strengthen its defense lines, and is taking an increasingly defensive stance along the front,” it says, among other things.
Troop movements have been reduced on both sides due to difficulties in getting through mud and snow, the report notes.
“Overall, the front is currently characterized by stagnation,” writes the British Ministry of Defence.
Concerns about Russian spring offensive
At the same time, concerns are growing in Ukraine about what will happen after the winter. In the US, Congress has failed to agree on a new comprehensive support package for Ukraine, and within the EU, Hungary’s Viktor Orban has blocked a 50 billion euro support package.
According to several military analysts who AP news agency spoken to makes the West’s faltering support Vladimir Putin hopeful. More and more experts are now talking about a possible Russian spring offensive as Ukrainian forces are weakened.
– The Ukrainian forces are motivated, but exhausted. Ukraine has lost many assault troops, says US military analyst Michael Kofman to AP.
Many risk freezing
At a press conference on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was sure that the United States would continue to support the country.
Zelensky also promised that next year Ukraine will produce one million of its own drones.
In addition to many worrying about a Russian offensive, there is also concern about what the colder winter weather will mean for the civilian population. According to a new UN report on Wednesday, a large part risks having difficulty keeping warm in the coming months. Over 40 percent state in a survey that they lack sufficiently warm clothing.