Six months have passed since the start of Russia's operation in Ukraine. During this period, the Russian forces encountered a kind of stumbling block in the face of the fierce resistance of the Ukrainian forces. Even the image of this military, known as one of the strongest in the world, is under question.
The lack of strong leadership in Ukraine has also cost the Russian military dearly. In Ukraine, the country's fleet of armored vehicles suffered massive destruction. This stopped Russia's progress in a way. The country's military tanks and other vehicles ran out of fuel. The food and ammunition of the soldiers also fell short. Due to this, the number of casualties of Russian soldiers increased at that time.
But before the war the picture was different. Many Western military experts believed that the Russian military would have a significant advantage over Ukraine on the battlefield. Because, they have a large army with advanced training, and all modern weapons. In addition, Russia's cyber capabilities will give the country's military an added advantage.
Since the start of the war on February 24, the current nature of the war, the situation of the Russian troops and the tactics of the Ukrainians have been highlighted in an analytical report by the Qatar-based media Al-Jazeera.
Russian forces did not do well in the war
Russia had been massing troops along the Ukrainian border for a long time before the start of the war. At the beginning of the campaign, Russian troops entered Ukraine with a large military fleet. But within a few weeks the course of the war began to change.
Russian air force fails to take control of Ukrainian airspace. As a result, Russian forces are facing extreme danger in the face of warplanes and drone attacks of Ukraine. The country's troops did not clearly know what Russia was fighting for in Ukraine. Russia's control and leadership throughout the war also showed great weakness.
Russia also had to pay a heavy price for the lack of strong leadership. In Ukraine, the country's fleet of armored vehicles suffered massive destruction. This stopped Russia's progress in a way. The country's military tanks and other vehicles ran out of fuel. The food and ammunition of the soldiers also fell short. Due to this, the number of casualties of Russian soldiers increased at that time. Apart from this, the strategic attack of the Ukrainian forces also increased the level of Russian losses.
Many of Moscow's military generals have moved closer to the battlefield to fill the gap in leadership of Russian forces in Ukraine. However, the poor communication system of the military is excluded. This revealed the identity of these generals to the Ukrainian intelligence. As a result, they were killed. In the meantime, a picture of the war emerges to the world, that the lack of discipline among the Russian troops in Ukraine is seen, they are not obeying the orders of their superiors, they are looting the cities they have occupied, killing civilians.
Among the weapons that Ukraine has received from the West, the most capable is the 'High Mobility Artillery Rocket System', known as 'Himmers'. This US-made missile system can accurately hit targets from hundreds of kilometers away. Many Russian ammunition and ammunition depots stockpiled in Ukraine were destroyed using Himmers.
Russia changed its tactics after stumbling. Moscow has adopted a slow-moving policy, focusing on strategic warfare in eastern Ukraine. As a result, they got success in Donetsk region. Captured the important city of Severodonetsk. Now Russia's eyes are on southern Ukraine.
Ukraine is fighting to the maximum with what it has
Although the Ukrainian military is relatively smaller than Russia, they have put up maximum resistance with the military equipment at hand. Shoulder-mounted anti-tank missiles developed by Western countries have greatly helped to halt Russia's advance in the war. The Ukrainians have made the most of the Turkish-made Beraktar TB-2 drones. After the drones identified Russian targets, they were destroyed by long-range artillery. Moscow suffered a big shock.
Meanwhile, thousands of fighters from different parts of the world took part in the war on behalf of Ukraine. Western allies, including the United States, have supported Ukraine with a large amount of weapons and ammunition. However, they did not give long-range missile systems to Ukraine. Because, there was fear that Russia could use nuclear weapons because of this.
Himmers changed the course of the war
Among the weapons that Ukraine has received from the West, the most capable is the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as 'Himmers'. This US-made missile system can accurately hit targets from hundreds of kilometers away. Many Russian ammunition and ammunition depots stockpiled in Ukraine were destroyed using Himmers. As a result, Russian forces are weakened due to lack of ammunition.
Major General Mick Ryan, a retired Australian army officer, believes that Himmers has changed the calculation of the battlefield in Ukraine. This missile system has been called a 'game changer' by retired US Army General Mark Hertling. According to him, Himmers are helping the Ukrainian forces gain an advantageous position in the war.
Both sides lacked weapons
Both Russia and Ukraine have depleted their stockpiles of emergency weapons. Although Russia has a large amount of artillery and ammunition, it is not endless. The cannons they have are from the then Soviet era. They are also not well maintained. As a result, they cannot be hit accurately. Meanwhile, Russia has started using missiles that are not suitable for use on the battlefield in Ukraine. The only meaning is that Russian forces are running out of weapons stockpiles.
Ukraine's stockpile of weapons has also been strained. Recently, the country's forces attempted to launch an attack using a commercial drone in Russian-controlled Crimea. While the subject is innovative, fighter jets and military drones are better suited for such attacks.
Although the West is still helping Ukraine with arms, Western arms manufacturers are under pressure to meet their huge demand. Western militaries now also have to look at their weapons stockpiles. Because, if they continue to provide arms in this way, they fear that there will be a shortage of these weapons if a major war breaks out in the near future.
Meanwhile, oil prices in the United States, which has aided Ukraine with massive weapons, have reached their highest level in years. Economists fear that the country's economy is heading towards recession. In such a situation, the country's Republican leaders called for reducing the amount of aid given to Ukraine. At the same time, the President of the United States asked Joe Biden to focus more on Americans than on wars abroad.
Despite the arms and military hardware crisis, both sides are now turning their attention to southern Ukraine. The city of Kherson in the region now became the center of their interest.
Quite important are the southern regions of Ukraine and Kherson
Kherson is an important port for sea and river transport. Last March, the city was captured by Russian forces. A massive effort was then made to increase Russian influence among the city's residents. Many residents have been given Russian passports and SIM cards from telecommunications companies.
Next to Kherson is the Dniper River. Two bridges over this river connect Kherson with eastern Ukraine. Both bridges provide military equipment and logistics to the Russian military. The capture of Kherson city and bridge is also important for Ukraine. As a result, they will have control over both banks of the Dnieper River and will be able to bring cargo ships into the port. In addition, if Ukraine captures the bridges, it will be able to cut off the Northern Crimea Canal, which runs south from the Dnieper River. The canal stretches from the town of Nova Kakhovka to the Crimean Peninsula.
Controlling the northern Crimea canal is a strategic goal for Russia in the Ukraine war. The canal once supplied 85 percent of Crimea's water supply. This water was used for the cultivation of the place, and the water demand of the industries was met. After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Ukraine cut off the water supply. However, as the areas on both sides of the canal are occupied by Russia, the water supply continues.
In addition, Kherson is important to the Russian military if Russia ever wants to seize the port of Odessa and cut off Ukraine from the sea. A large amount of Ukraine's grain is exported through the port of Odessa.
Much of eastern Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions are now occupied by Russia. Russian forces also control large parts of southern Ukraine. Now the question is, what is the meaning of "victory" in Ukraine for Moscow and where will they end this campaign?
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