On the first anniversary of Russia’s offensive war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commemorated the fallen soldiers in Kiev (see video above) and paid tribute to the resistance of his compatriots. Again he was sure of victory, although – especially in the east of Ukraine – it was difficult and dangerous. There Wagner’s mercenaries reported another success.
“It has been a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity,” said the 45-year-old on Friday. Many would have made their choice on February 24 a year ago. “Not a white flag, but the blue and yellow flag,” he said. “Do not flee, but surrender. Resistance and struggle,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter alongside an emotional video showing Ukrainians’ struggle (see below). “We know that 2023 will be the year of our victory,” Zelensky continued .
In a video speech on Friday morning, he previously described the situation in the east and south of the country as difficult and dangerous. “The situation in the east is very difficult and painful. But we are doing everything we can to oppose it,” Zelensky said. Pro-Russian forces also fired on the southern city of Kherson, cutting 40,000 people from power.
Wagner mercenaries report success
On Friday, the Russian mercenary group Wagner also reported the capture of the village of Berkhivka northwest of the city of Bakhmut. Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin stated that his units had taken full control of the village. The mercenaries have been fighting over the strategically important Bachmut for months. Prigozhin had had a heated argument with the military leadership in recent days, accusing both of deliberately withholding ammunition from his units. On Thursday, he said ammunition was being delivered again.
As a result of the fighting in eastern Ukraine, the number of soldiers killed continues to rise and memorials and vigils are held at Kiev’s Sophienplatz to honor the tens of thousands of dead. Recently, there have been fears that Russia could unleash a new wave of missile strikes on the anniversary of the invasion. The AP news agency reports that there were no air raid alarms in the Ukrainian capital either at night or early in the morning.
London: Russians change strategy
After Russian forces brought Ukraine to its knees a year into the invasion, the British estimate that they have changed their approach again. “Your campaign will now likely focus on weakening the Ukrainian army rather than focusing on capturing significant amounts of territory,” the defense ministry said in London on Friday. “Russian leadership is likely to take a long-term approach, assuming that Russia’s population and resources will eventually deplete Ukraine,” it said, citing intelligence findings.
Russia’s strategy to control its neighbor has remained largely constant since 2014. Until 2021, this goal was pursued “subversively”, with Moscow annexing the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and fueling the undeclared war in eastern Ukraine’s Donbass. “On February 24, 2022, Russia switched to a new approach and launched a full-scale invasion in an attempt to take over the entire country and overthrow the government.” expand and formalize its rule over Donbass and southern Ukraine. “It has made slow and extremely costly progress,” it said in London.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
