Ukrainians Confront Harsh Realities as War with Russia Drags On in a Stalemate
Ukrainians confront the harsh reality of an enduring conflict with Russia, as a recent assessment by their military chief confirms their fears Through conversations, social media, and firsthand experiences on the frontlines, they witness the toll of Russia's ongoing war on their nation
Many Ukrainians were not surprised by the recent gloomy evaluation of the battlefield given by Ukraine's military chief. This assessment aligns with what they have been hearing from friends, witnessing on social media, and personally experiencing on the frontlines, as Russia's ongoing aggression against their country persists. During an interview with the Economist magazine, the Commander in Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valery Zaluzhny, stated that it is highly unlikely for any significant and positive developments to occur, and each passing day strengthens the advantage of the Russian forces.
The Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia has been halted as the harsh winter approaches. Approximately one-fifth of Ukraine is still under Russian occupation, and the front lines remain mostly static, with both sides experiencing significant casualties.
Zaluzhny issued a warning that Russia will maintain superiority in terms of weapons, equipment, missiles, and ammunition for a significant period. He emphasized the necessity for Ukraine to adopt new and innovative strategies.
Ukraine's attempt to counter Russia's invasion in June has been unsuccessful in shifting the tide of the war in Kyiv's favor. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky consistently urges the public to maintain faith in the country's potential victory, Zaluzhny's straightforward perspective provides a rare alternative to the prevailing hopeful messages from Ukrainian political leaders.
Nevertheless, the aspiration remains out of reach for numerous Ukrainians at present. CNN interviewed several Ukrainians regarding the possibility of an extended war and the resilience they still hold onto as the conflict enters what Zaluzhnyi refers to as a "stalemate."
Vitalii Shevchuk and his family fled Hostomel, a Kyiv suburb, where elite Russian forces landed in the morning of the Russian invasion to capture the capital city.
CNN
Vitalii Shevchuk's family managed to escape to safety, however, their residence in the town of Hostomel near Kyiv was obliterated during the Russian occupation, which marked the beginning of Russia's all-out invasion last year. According to him, those were dread-filled days. While conditions may have improved to some extent, he emphasized the importance of acknowledging the reality of the ongoing war, regardless of what it entails.
"There appear to be two contrasting realities, as Shevchuk pointed out. One is the optimistic portrayal conveyed by the national telethon, which is the sole official news broadcast presented jointly by several major Ukrainian TV channels. The other reality, however, delves into the truth."
According to Shevchuk, when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk region in the same year, the conflict seemed distant for many Ukrainians. However, as the war transitions into what Zaluzhny describes as "positional warfare," Shevchuk firmly believes that it will continue to occupy the thoughts of everyone.
"I have faith in Ukraine's victory, but we must acknowledge the realities we face. Zelensky's positive predictions were logical because if we all remained pessimistic, constantly believing everything is bad and wrong, we would eventually witness the manifestation of that negativity," he stated. "Zelensky played a crucial role in boosting morale. Without this spirit, what would people have held onto?"
After hearing Zaluzhny's perspective on the current state of the battle, a deputy commander, responsible for an artillery unit near Bakhmut, saw no need to relay these thoughts to the soldiers under his command. He considered it obvious, and on the condition of anonymity, due to lacking authorization to speak to the media, he shared this with CNN.
Smoke rises from the site of recent shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, on October 24.
He stated that at their current location, they consistently experience the Russians' domination in terms of reconnaissance and firepower. The Russians possess a significant quantity of cannon artillery. It is undeniable that they lack precision, but their advantage lies in the abundance of ammunition. Recent developments have made this difference even more evident, as their supply of ammunition continues to decrease.
They dont pay attention to the losses
Zaluzhny admitted during his interview with the Economist that his plan to deliver a significant blow to Russian forces in an effort to initiate negotiations with Moscow did not succeed as anticipated. Regretfully, he acknowledged, "That was my mistake." Furthermore, he expressed that Russia has incurred a staggering death toll of at least 150,000 individuals, emphasizing that in any other nation, such substantial casualties would have resulted in an end to the conflict.
The deputy commander greatly appreciated Zaluzhnys' openness. The general commended him for having the courage to admit his mistake, emphasizing the significance of such an act. He added that the Russians persist in their endeavors without being deterred by losses.
Zelensky, in my opinion, lacks military experience. However, he made the right decisions from his perspective. In his daily addresses, he consistently showed concern for the challenging front-line areas and the courageous brigades carrying out demanding tasks. This approach partially boosted the morale of the soldiers.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting with the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg on September 28, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images
Ukraine's president and military chief express exhaustion and disappointment with their allies as they sound a cautionary note about the prospect of a protracted, attritional war. Meanwhile, Lyuba Shipovich, the director of Dignitas Fund, diligently seeks out technological advancements to equip the Ukrainian military with drones, tactical medicine, and communication devices, in order to facilitate a strategic advantage for soldiers stationed on the front lines.
"We possess a smaller personnel force compared to our adversary, yet we hold a greater regard for our individuals. It is essential to withdraw individuals from the foremost part of the battlefield and substitute them with intelligence and reconnaissance drones, automated attack systems, self-destructive drones, and bombers," she conveyed to CNN. "Our personnel should take refuge at the rear section of the front line, as human life holds immense value to us in all respects.
"Hence, we seek assistance from our Western allies in not only procuring weapons but also obtaining the accompanying technology," she expressed.
In a recent interview with TIME, Zelensky expressed his unwavering belief in Ukraine's victory, stating that instilling these beliefs in Ukraine's allies requires a significant amount of power and energy.
Based on the latest statistics, approximately 5.6 million to 6.7 million Ukrainians who fled the country due to the ongoing war are still living abroad. For these individuals, the progress on the battlefield and the potential end of the war are crucial in determining their chances of returning home.
Apartment buildings in northern Saltovka, a district of Kharkiv that was heavily damaged by Russian shelling at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Iryna Avramets, a 34-year-old resident of Kyiv, was expecting her first child when the conflict started. Although she chose to deliver her daughter in Ukraine, she later decided to move to Spain. Given the ongoing stalemate in the war with no evident resolution, it appears unlikely that she will return in the near future.
Iryna acknowledges the inevitability of the prolonged war, though she finds it challenging to accept. She emphasizes the significance of listening, analyzing, and comprehending the reality that a swift return home is unlikely for them. Despite this, Iryna believes it is essential to maintain optimism. She highlights how Zelensky's efforts are assisting Ukrainians in accomplishing just that.
Iryna stated that Zelensky is making an effort to restore people's trust and prevent them from giving up.
Oksana Yarosh from Kharkiv expressed her belief that the Ukrainian president has been sugarcoating the situation for an extended period of time. She conveyed her fear regarding the absence of bad news, which is actually a daily reality.
According to her, the public often avoids discussing the concerns surrounding Ukraine's mobilization and reserve training. The fact that these issues are "openly ignored" leads to a decline in enlistment and the willingness to fight among the population. Despite understanding the need to alleviate panic among civilians, she believes that this approach diverts attention and fosters complacency.
Kyiv resident Natalia Kovalchuk believes everyone in Ukraine will have to join the war effort in the long run.
CNN
Natalia Kovalchuk, a Kyiv resident, appreciates the Ukrainian president keeping spirits high through the turmoil.
She told CNN that the positive sentiment instilled by Zelensky was crucial. However, it is unfortunate that there were high expectations regarding a counteroffensive. People were filled with inspiration, believing that Crimea would be regained and the Russians would be driven out of their land, but these hopes were not realized. Many individuals realized that their expectations were unrealistic, yet they were hesitant to accept the fact that the war would be prolonged.
