TRIBUNNEWS.COM — The continuous attacks carried out by Russia on Ukrainian territory have really weakened Ukraine.
A retired French army general who is also the editor-in-chief of Revue Defense Nationale, Jerome Pellistrandi, said that now Kiev is being led into Moscow’s trap where they will have to choose between losing soldiers or losing territory.
The offensive movement carried out by Vladimir Putin’s troops caused real damage to his opponent’s camp. For example, a number of cities experienced blackouts due to destroyed power plants.
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Likewise, military facilities such as drone factories and other weapons were damaged and temporarily stopped production.
“Moscow has actually presented the Ukrainian command with a tactical dilemma, forcing them to choose between protecting territory at the risk of heavy losses, or retreating and surrendering,” Pellistrandi said in an interview for French outlet La Depeche, Wednesday (29/3/2024).
Since conquering the strategic city of Avdiivka last February, explained Pellistrandi, Moscow has continued to push westward deeper into Ukrainian territory. This military observer said Putin’s troops would annex Chasov Yar and Kharkiv.
Apart from Avdiivka, Moscow has also captured the town of Krasnoe (known in Ukraine as Ivanivske), west of Artyomovsk (Bakhmut).
“This reflects a desire to exhaust the enemy,” he said.
The Moscow military, he explained, knew very well that Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops lacked weapons. Due to their continuous shelling of these areas, the Russian army ultimately prevented the Ukrainians from rebuilding their defenses.
“This is a way to force them to surrender and use up their weapons,” he said.
Also read: Continuing to be bombarded, Ukraine admits that its troops cannot attack, they can only defend
Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said the Russian military was pushing Ukraine back and not allowing them to fortify new defensive positions.
He also estimated casualties in Ukraine since the start of the year at 71,000 people and 11,000 pieces of equipment.
According to Pellistrandi, Russian forces are targeting Chasov Yar and Kramatorsk, Ukraine’s main logistics crossroads in Donbass.
The loss would be “dramatic” for Kiev and pose “serious strategic and logistical difficulties,” he said.
Russian troops attack Ukraine with rockets (TASS)
2024-03-29 16:35:27
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