Exactly one week after one year of war in Ukraine, the battle for Bakhmut continues to dominate much of the effort on both sides. The Ukrainian army tries to defend the position against some Russians, right now, optimistic. The leader of the Wagner mercenary group assures that his people will take the city in about two months.
From the United States, the opinion at this point is clear: neither of the two countries will reach their military objectives, and the war will end sooner or later with a negotiation. It is a scenario imagined by many, but certainly not by Volodímir Zelenskiwho once again made it clear, this time in an interview with the BBC, that Ukraine will not give up any land in exchange for peace.
Far, therefore, from the ceasefire, both countries have nevertheless achieved small agreements, such as a prisoner exchange who has brought home a hundred Ukrainians and another hundred Russians.
But yes, the war continues, and so do the Russian bombings. Cities like Jerson expect an offensive soonand from kyiv it is assured that the Russians would be using missiles and decoy balloons to try to “exhaust” the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses.
The Kirovograd region, in the center of the country, or the city of Lviv, to the west, are the latest to confirm that the massive Russian attacks are far from ceasing. According to Ukrainian investigations, Moscow would be planning a massive attack for February 24, one year after the start of the invasion.
For that week, a speech by Vladimir Putin on the state of the nation is also expected, the first in two years.
