Ukraine recently withdrew from the key town of Avdiivka, setting up a new line of defense to the west. However, swift Russian advances have posed a challenge to Ukraine's defense strategy and raised concerns about Kyiv's tactics and momentum on the front lines.
Despite Ukraine's announcement of the withdrawal from Avdiivka on February 17, Russian forces have managed to capture three small villages that were not originally intended to be defended by Kyiv. Ukraine has stated that they never planned to defend these villages.
The defensive line that was supposed to fall back to three villages further west is now under heavy Russian assault. Pro-Russian sources say that Moscow has partially occupied all three settlements, but Ukraine denies these claims.
As Russian forces advance, there is a serious shortage of ammunition for the Ukrainian military. Frontline troops are facing a tough decision as they have to ration their ammunition and are unsure of how long they can hold out against Russian pressure.
The new commander of the Ukrainian military, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, has been expressing concern about the performance of his subordinate officers on the key front line. Twice in the past week, he has reprimanded them for their poor performance.
On Thursday, Syrskyi pointed out "certain shortcomings" and "miscalculations" by commanders on the Avdiivka front lines, which directly impacted the defense in certain areas. He highlighted the importance of addressing these issues for the sustainability of the defense.
On Saturday, Syrskyi reiterated the issue of inadequate staffing and mentioned that he had replaced some officers who were not fully informed about the situation. He emphasized that such lack of awareness directly put the lives and health of their subordinates at risk.
Syrskyi took over as the military’s new commander three weeks ago, replacing the popular Valery Zaluzhny who had tensions with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He now faces a challenging battlefield where a resurgent Russia has taken advantage of weaknesses in Western aid, ammunition, and personnel for Ukraine.
Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi attends a meeting in Kyiv on February 10, 2024.
Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi attends a meeting in Kyiv on February 10, 2024.
Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters
Pessimism on the eastern front
The significance of the Russian assault on Ukraine's new defensive line near Avdiivka lies not in the small villages themselves, but in the implications it carries. These villages, with only a few remaining residents and damaged buildings, highlight the lack of adequate planning by Ukrainian officials for the Avdiivka withdrawal and their subsequent struggle to halt Russia's progress.
While Moscow has declared its aim to seize control of the entire Donbas region, it also seeks to "demilitarize" Ukraine.
A residential building in Dnipro that has been hit by a Russian drone
A residential building in Dnipro that has been hit by a Russian drone
Ivana Kottasová/CNN
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Ukrainians have adapted to living with war, as the saying goes, "Eventually, one gets used to anything." Despite the withdrawal, many Ukrainian soldiers shared their concerns with CNN about the significance and defense in the weeks to come. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, many soldiers preferred not to be quoted.
One special forces soldier shared with CNN that the issue was not so much about Russian momentum, but rather about their own lack of preparedness to defend against them. Without well-established positions, they found themselves continuously retreating.
On another front line, an officer expressed the feeling of Russian superiority in terms of personnel, artillery, and armored vehicles. Despite the daunting situation, they felt limited in their options - either retreat or face the grim reality of being outnumbered and outgunned. In such circumstances, fighting back without proper weapons seemed impossible.
Ukrainian casualties are often kept secret, but President Zelensky recently stated that 31,000 troops have died since the Russian invasion began. Despite this, a concerned medic at a trauma unit near the front line in the east showed CNN a box of injury reports numbering in the hundreds from just 20 days in February.
Drone footage from the village of Orlivka, a target of Russia's ongoing assault west of Avdiivka, reveals most buildings in ruins and large craters likely from Russian airstrikes in the flat, riverside area. Intense clashes continue around the nearby villages of Tonenke and Berdychi. CNN witnessed heavy explosions and machine gunfire near Berdychi on Saturday.
Soldiers on the eastern front line are feeling very worried about the upcoming spring if they don't get help from the West soon. The situation is critical as Ukrainian morale and supplies are running low, while Moscow's forces seem to be getting stronger.
A Ukrainian soldier prepares a shell for a drone on the front line near Avdiivka on February 20, 2024.
A Ukrainian soldier prepares a shell for a drone on the front line near Avdiivka on February 20, 2024.
Inna Varenytsia/Reuters
The drone footage of Russian forces has shown that they are not afraid to send troops quickly into positions that are not easily defended, putting them at risk of being killed.
In a video allegedly taken in the Avdiivka region by Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade, a Russian armored personnel carrier can be seen rushing towards Ukrainian positions. It quickly stops and lets out around twelve soldiers who seek cover in a nearby gateway.
Two Ukrainian attack drones successfully disable a vehicle, leading to a US-supplied Bradley armored vehicle approaching the exposed group. The Bradley is then observed shooting many Russian soldiers with a mounted grenade launcher.
In another video captured outside the village of Berdychi, over 30 dead Russian soldiers are seen lying behind a damaged armored vehicle. However, CNN was unable to verify the exact location of either video.
Yet despite the staggering casualties and unsophisticated tactics, the Russian assaults persist.
Editor's P/S:
The article paints a grim picture of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the challenges faced by the Ukrainian military as Russia advances. The withdrawal from Avdiivka and subsequent loss of villages raise concerns about Ukraine's defense strategy and the impact of limited ammunition and personnel on the front lines. The criticism from the new military commander, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, further underscores the need for improved leadership and tactical planning.
The article also exposes the dire situation faced by Ukrainian soldiers, who are fighting with limited resources and facing overwhelming Russian forces. The drone footage of Russian troops rushing into vulnerable positions and the countless casualties serve as a sobering reminder of the human cost of this conflict. The pessimism among soldiers on the eastern front and the need for urgent Western aid underscore the critical nature of the situation and the need for sustained support to ensure Ukraine's defense.
