In the defensive battle against Russia, Ukraine has reported further territorial gains in the northeast of the country. Accordingly, after their defeat in the region near Kharkov on Tuesday, Russian forces withdrew from the first places in the adjacent region of Luhansk. However, the US tempered the euphoria after the Ukrainian advance: Progress is significant, but it is too early to assess further developments, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
According to Blinken, the strategic situation after Ukraine’s recent successes is also not easy to estimate. “We have clearly seen significant progress among Ukrainians, especially in the Northeast,” the US Secretary of State said, praising the Ukrainians’ courage.
But he added that it was too early to say how the situation would develop. “The Russians still have very significant forces, equipment, weapons and ammunition in Ukraine.”
British: Russian army strongly weakened
However, according to British intelligence, the leading units of the Russian army have been seriously weakened. The First Guards Tank Army, one of the most prestigious units in the Russian army, is also affected. Parts of this unit withdrew from the Kharkiv region last week, it said.
With the help of Western weapons, Kiev wants to recapture the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Russia had announced the complete capture of Luhansk in July. According to their own statements, Ukrainians currently own about 40 percent of the territory in Donetsk.
Putin is not thrilled
The Russian leadership around President Vladimir Putin seemed calm despite the setbacks. No general mobilization is planned, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said according to the Interfax agency. But the call for consequences is getting louder in Moscow – including for a partial or full mobilization to achieve the stated goals of the “special operation”.
At the same time, there are indications of increasing criticism of Putin. Dozens of local politicians in Russia demanded his resignation. New supporters would be added, St. Petersburg district council deputy Xenia Torstrem tweeted. However, the direct effects of such protest actions are likely to be small. Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Russian judiciary has been particularly tough on opposition members and dissenters.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
