The Russian military has encountered unexpected resistance so far during the invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this week, it was reported that the almost 70-kilometer-long convoy is moving far slower than expected.
At the same time, frustration over lack of progress will lead to frustration for Vladimir Putin, according to British intelligence. And the challenges may in a few days prove to be more.
Over the next week, a high pressure in northwestern parts of Russia will lead to colder air currents to the south. It looks like there will be a drop in temperature in, among other places, Kyiv towards next weekend, says on-duty meteorologist Marit Berger to Dagbladet.
While the temperature towards the coming weekend is two to four degrees, Kyiv and Kharkiv, among others, will get about ten degrees in the middle of next week. In addition, there will be wind, which gives an effective temperature of down to 15 degrees Celsius.
– It is difficult to say exactly how cold it will be and how long this will last, says Berger.
UKRAINE: These photos will show Ukrainians barricading the road to the Zaporizhia power plant. view more
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– Will be noticed
Lieutenant Colonel Palle Ydstebø is clear in his conclusion when Dagbladet asks how the change in weather conditions will affect the war and the soldiers:
– The temperature drop will be felt, says Ydstebø. However, he adds that both the Russian and Ukrainian soldiers appear well-dressed and prepared.
– They are used to barren conditions and cold. But two things in particular become interesting: Whether the cold is prolonged enough for the wire to settle to the ground, and when the rain will come, says the lieutenant colonel.
Ydstebø explains that the former will be able to make it easier to move off the roads, as the ground can be hard enough to withstand the weight of heavy vehicles. The precipitation, on the other hand, will have the opposite effect.
– Rain will lead to swamps in many of these areas, which in turn will lead to even greater problems with supplies than is already seen with the Russians. The weather will have a lot to say in the future, Ydstebø states.
HOMAGE: French President Emmanuel Macron showed his support for the Ukrainian people and condemned Russia’s invasion. Video: AP view more
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He further explains that tanks and heavy vehicles risk getting stuck as conditions are in Ukraine right now. At the same time, one enters a period of the year where the weather conditions are historically known in a war context.
– We are also moving into the period they often refer to as “the season without roads”. Clothes should not be a problem, they are well dressed, but rain can cause it to stop to a much greater extent and the roads to be followed. This will make it easier to slow down progress by blasting roads and bridges. In the winter of 1943, there were huge fighting outside Kharkiv. Then it was varying temperatures that largely controlled the movements of the troops, says the lieutenant colonel.
