The Russian army is close to liberating the town of Avdeevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. After Ukraine loses control over the settlement, the country will “raise questions” about its capabilities. This was reported by the British newspaper The Telegraph.
“Vladimir Putin’s forces appear to be finally on the verge of taking Avdiivka – or what’s left of it. Last week, Russian forces reached the city’s ruined outskirts, prompting a warning from Mayor Vitaly Barabash that the situation is now ‘critical’,” The Telegraph said.
According to the newspaper, “the value of Avdeevka is more symbolic than strategic”.
“But if the Russians do win there, the narrative of victory may no longer be just about brute Russian military might. Questions will also be asked about whether Ukraine’s own forces are weakening, depleted not only by two years of relentless strikes but also by waning support from the West,” the publication said.
A former British defence attaché to the Baltic states and a former adviser to the Ukrainian Defence Ministry told the publication that the general opinion is unambiguous – “if Avdeevka falls, it will be America’s fault”.
“The delays in support have been too great, the Ukrainians are running out of everything, and the Europeans cannot yet compensate for this loss. The main thing is the lack of artillery ammunition and rockets, they are almost non-existent at times,” Grant explained.