Article author:
Reuters
Tom Balm Force and Max Hander
KYIV — Ukrainian troops took a new line of defense in the east on Monday, preparing for a tough new phase of the war as President Vladimirputin. Declared Russia's victory in several months of battle in Luhansk.
Russia's occupation of Lysychans'k city on Sunday ended one of Europe's biggest battles for generations, putting the full power of ground forces into a small front-line pocket. did. 2 months.
This battle completes Russia's conquest of Luhansk Oblast. Luhansk Oblast is one of two regions where Ukraine has demanded concessions to separatists in the Donbus region.
In a short video conference with the Defense Minister, Putin congratulated the Russian army on a "victory in the direction of Luhansk." He said those who participated in the fighting should "absolutely rest and restore their military readiness" while other troops continue to fight in other areas.
This battle is the closest to Moscow's achievement of one of its goals since Moscow was defeated in March in an attempt to occupy Kyiv, with Mariupoli shipping in late May. It has recorded the biggest victory in Russia since the occupation.
Both sides have killed and injured thousands, claiming to have caused far greater losses to their enemies along the loop of the Donets River through Luhansk and Donetsk.
Lysychans'k, adjacent Sievierodonetsk and surrounding towns (many have heavy industrialized plants that act as defending fortified bunker) Was attacked by a wasteland by relentless Russian bombardment. Russia repeatedly tried to surround the Ukrainians, but failed and eventually chose to blow up the Ukrainians instead, with the help of the artillery.
Military experts say combat can be a turning point in war. This is not due to the limited strategic value of the devastated city itself, but to the effects of both losses. Ability to fight.
"I think it's a tactical victory for Russia, but it costs a lot," said Neil Melvin, a RUSI think tank in London, a small territory characteristic of World War I. Said in comparison to the large-scale battle for acquisition.
"It took 60 days to make very slow progress," he said. "I think the Russians may declare some kind of victory, but the important war battles haven't come yet."
Moscow, withdrawal of Ukraine gives momentum to Russian troops Hope, Ukraine will push further west into the neighboring province of Donetsk, which still holds the cities of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk and Bakumut.
'IT HURTS A LOT'
Ukraine may have withdrawn from Luhansk a few weeks ago, but Ukraine chose to continue fighting there to run out of invading troops. The rage is too depleted to want to leave the Russians and cannot benefit elsewhere.
Ukraine's Governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Gaidai, admitted that his entire state was virtually in the hands of Russia, but told Reuters: I'm not losing the war.
Guydai has withdrawn from Lysychansik Ukrainian troops are now maintaining the border between Bakmut and Slovyansk, preparing to fend off further Russian progress. Said.
Mayor Slovyansk said the heavy bombardment on Sunday killed at least six people, including a 10-year-old girl.
US-based Foreign Policy Institute Rob Li said the new Ukraine line of defense should be easier to defend than the Ukrainian abandoned pocket in Luhansk Oblast.
"That's what Putin can show as a sign of success," he said. "But overall, this does not mean that Ukraine must make concessions or concessions immediately."
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Secretary of Putin's Security Council, said, "Others. I was fascinated by the blood of Ukraine. ”By Western leaders and the ruler of Ukraine itself, Ukraine posted on social media that it is working hard to keep fighting. People driven by "cocaine ecstasy".
Ukraine's anticipation of a counterattack is to add additional weapons from the west, such as rockets that can neutralize Russia's huge firepower advantage by attacking deep in the front lines. It depends partly on receiving.
Last week, Ukraine won its own big victory and expelled Russian troops from Snake Island. This was a desolate and strategic outcrop of the Black Sea that Moscow captured on the first day of the war, but could no longer defend against Ukrainian strikes.
Ukrainian troops said on Monday that they raised the flag.
RUSI expert Melvin said Ukraine's decisive battle could take place in the south, where Ukraine launched a counterattack, rather than in the east, where Russia is launching its main attack. Said it was expensive. Recapture the territory.
"This is where the Ukrainians are making progress around Kherson. From there the counterattack begins, trying to launch a large-scale counterattack to push the Russians back. I think it's most likely that we'll see the momentum on Ukraine shake, "he said.
In an overnight video speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to reclaim the lost territory on Sunday night with the help of long-range western weapons.
"We must rebuild the walls, reclaim the land, and above all, protect the people," Zelensky said.
(Report by Reuters, written by Michael Perry and Peter Graf, edited by Simon Cameron Moore and Allison Williams)
