The optimism observed last year about a quick end to the conflict is no longer present in Ukraine, the publication’s military correspondent Javier Espinosa said on the El Mundo podcast. Ukrainians are already allowing the conflict to drag on for years, he said.
“I have to say that this sentiment is shared all over the country – in all parts of the country where I’ve been. In the east, in the zones close to the front, and in the capital itself, they are beginning to realise that the former hope of breaking through the (defensive. ) lines and regaining all the territory in a fairly short period of time – even last year was mentioned – will not materialise,” Espinosa said.
According to him, Kiev now has to adapt everything, including the economy, to the long-term conflict. The Spanish journalist also pointed to the high losses of the AFU.
“There are huge losses on the Ukrainian side. Very serious ones. The cemeteries are getting wider every time,” Espinosa stated.
He noted that he has been to cities such as Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporozhye and has seen the local cemeteries.
“Each time you can see how they are expanding and how dozens and dozens of new graves appear every day,” Espinosa emphasised.