The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now entering its third year, shows no signs of resolution as both nations continue to vie for victory. However, recent developments suggest that Moscow may have achieved a breakthrough in its campaign against Kyiv. The city of Avdiivka has reportedly fallen under Russian control following intensified attacks in recent weeks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the seizure of Avdiivka as a "significant victory." This conquest comes at a time when Ukraine faces acute ammunition shortages, with military aid from the United States to Kyiv delayed for months in Congress.
"The head of state congratulates the Russian army on this success, a significant victory," the Kremlin said in a statement on its website, as quoted by Reuters on Sunday (25/2/2024).
Meanwhile, the situation in Ukraine has reached a critical juncture. Several factors, including the harsh cold weather prevailing on the battlefield, have weakened Kyiv's forces.
A spokesperson for the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, one of the units attempting to secure the city, noted that these conditions have resulted in their defending forces being outnumbered seven to one compared to Moscow.
"The weather is rain, snow, rain, snow. As a result, people are hit with flu or angina. They cannot act for some time, and there is no one to replace them," said a company commander in the Ukrainian brigade known as Limuzyn.
Another commander in the 59th Brigade, identified only by his first name Hryhoriy, described relentless attacks from groups of five to seven Russian soldiers advancing up to 10 times a day. He likened the assaults to a meat grinder.
"When one or two positions withstand these attacks all day long, the soldiers become tired," said Hryhoriy, as he and his exhausted troops were briefly rotated from the frontlines near the city of Donetsk in the eastern part occupied by Russia.
Moreover, the stalled weapon aid has also been a factor in Ukraine's setbacks. Kyiv heavily relies on foreign money and equipment to fund its war efforts.
Unfortunately, the $61 billion aid package from the United States remains held up due to political disputes in Washington.
Currently, Moscow controls nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimea Peninsula annexed in 2014, although the frontline has largely remained stagnant for the past 14 months.
Ukrainian officials estimate their armed forces to number around 800,000, while in December, Putin ordered the Russian forces to be bolstered by an additional 170,000 troops, bringing the total to 1.3 million.