Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on April 23 affirmed that Moscow has “dispelled the myth of the superiority of Western weapons”, as Russian forces maintain the initiative along the front line and are attacking against the forces of the West. Ukrainian forces are larger and stronger in firepower.
Sergei Shoigu said Russia will continue to increase production of advanced weapons “in accordance with threats from the US and its allies”.
While Ukraine waits for the US Senate and President Joe Biden to approve aid – expected in the next few days, Russian forces continue to attack Ukraine with missiles, drones, and artillery. heavyweight and gain some territorial advantages.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted on April 20 that the country had “lost the initiative” when expecting military support from the US. However, he also affirmed that equipping new weapons and ammunition will give the country’s army “the opportunity to stabilize the situation”.
Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on April 22 that the war will only become more difficult as Russian forces increase their attacks until mid-May, which he described as a “campaign”. overview”.
According to Ukrainian military analysts, a mistake in the recent rotation of Ukrainian forces allowed Russian troops to quickly advance 5 km on the battlefield and towards Kiev’s newly reinforced defense line.
The village of Ocheretyne, west of the Russian-controlled city of Avdiivka, fell in February.
North of Ocheretyne, up to 25,000 Russian troops are focusing most of their efforts on capturing the strategic town of Chasiv Yar, said Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for Ukraine’s ground forces in the east.
If the Russian army takes control of the town on high ground in the eastern Donetsk region, it will have a strong foothold from which it can attack the garrison cities of Kostyantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.
Russia will also gain a favorable position to attack key highways as well as railway lines connecting the above cities with Kiev.
Chasiv Yar is located 15km west of Bakhmut, which fell to the Russian army after a months-long battle, becoming the most significant victory for Russia last year.
The Kremlin has become increasingly confident in Russia’s ability to win the more than two-year conflict in Ukraine, since President Vladimir Putin ordered a comprehensive military campaign into the country.
Currently, Russia is using superior numbers and firepower to weaken Ukraine’s defense system.
Financial Times quoted information from Ukrainian commanders on the Eastern battlefield affirming that this month the Russian army learned lessons from previous mistakes and quickly adapted.
Meanwhile, Minister Shoigu said that the Russian Ministry of Defense will provide the military with new S-500 long-range air defense and missile systems as well as new radar stations this year, and increase production of such systems. Existing air defense systems such as S-400 and Pantsyr.
