Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Warns of Worsening Situation on Frontline
KYIV — In a bold statement, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, has declared that the situation on the frontline has deteriorated significantly due to multiple Russian attacks.
According to Gen. Syrskyi, Ukrainian forces have been forced to withdraw from positions in the eastern Donetsk region as Russia continues to push forward with its superior manpower and artillery.
The urgency of the situation has been heightened by the fact that new US weapons, part of a $61bn (£49bn) military aid package for Ukraine, have yet to reach the frontlines.
Despite the ongoing struggle with shortages of ammunition, troops, and air defenses, Ukrainian forces are facing increased pressure from the advancing Russian forces.
“The situation at the front has worsened,” Gen. Syrskyi emphasized in a post on the Telegram messaging service on Sunday.
He confirmed that Ukrainian forces had retreated from some positions in the Donetsk area, where Russia had previously captured Avdiivka in February.
The battleground has mainly centered around Chasiv Yar, a stronghold under Kyiv’s control that Russia is attempting to breach after seizing Avdiivka.
Although new defensive lines have been established further west in certain areas, Gen. Syrskyi acknowledged the loss of territory to the advancing Russians.
“Moscow has achieved tactical successes in some sectors,” he acknowledged.
Gen. Syrskyi also mentioned that fresh Ukrainian brigades are being rotated into the affected areas to replace units that have suffered losses.
Reports from Russia’s Defense Ministry indicated that its troops had captured the village of Novobakhmutivka, located approximately 10 km (6 miles) north of Avdiivka.
Gen. Syrskyi assumed command of the country’s armed forces in February, following speculation about a possible rift between his predecessor, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Earlier this month, Gen. Syrskyi had warned that the battlefield situation in the eastern part of the country had “significantly worsened”.
Looking ahead, the commander of Ukraine’s National Guard, Oleksandr Pivnenko, expressed concerns about a potential Russian advance on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city near the Russian border.
Recent developments saw US President Joe Biden approving a $95bn (£76bn) aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan after months of political deadlock and opposition to the aid from certain members of Congress.
As part of the new military aid package, the Pentagon announced plans to expedite the delivery of Patriot air defense missiles and artillery ammunition to Ukraine.
From February 2022 to January 2024, the US provided Ukraine with over $40bn in military aid, as reported by the German research organization, the Kiel Institute. — BBC
