Category: JRL NewsBlog

“Three months into Ukraine’s … counteroffensive, Russian occupying forces have largely been able to hold their positions, often by learning from past mistakes. They have reconstituted decimated units, swapped in new ones and turned from sweeping attacks to the defense of heavily fortified front lines, showing that despite heavy losses, Moscow is willing to dig in for the long haul […]

“… Zelensky said on Saturday[] ‘Ukrainian forces are moving forward. Despite everything and no matter what anyone says, we are advancing, and that is the most important thing. We are on the move’ …. By the end of [July], Ukraine had committed more troops to the southeast … a sign that it had identified potential weaknesses in Russian defensive lines. […]

“… Russia’s army is at the end of its tether. With Russia’s modern tanks and armored vehicles largely gone or inoperative, Russia is pulling late 1940’s vintage T-10 tanks and other mechanized relics out of storage. Russian leaders are virtually begging North Korea, Iran, China and other former client states for help. Russian conscripts are arriving on the front under-equipped […]

“… Citing a Russian attempt to push back into the area, the Kupiansk district military administration told roughly 12,000 residents to seek safety elsewhere. Only a few hundred have heeded …. Among the thousands who haven’t, some are paralyzed by the daunting task of relocating. Others said they had considered the hardships of displacement and decided to brave … renewed […]

“Russia is trying to retake some of the territory that it lost to Ukraine in the region of Kharkiv.” “Russia is on the attack in northeastern Ukraine … seek[ing] to take back territory … Kyiv recaptured last fall and … divert Ukrainian forces from their counteroffensive in the south and east. The main fighting is taking place around the village […]

“There’s a feeling we’re back in a war of attrition that risks stretching the patience of impatient allies, who only have themselves to blame for the slow progress.” “… [I]t feels as though we’re back in … a war of attrition that risks stretching the patience of impatient allies — something the Kremlin is no doubt hoping for. … Ukrainian […]

“…. Having once promised a march to Crimea … the political leadership in Kyiv now emphasises more realistic expectations. … Ukraine’s leadership is particularly frustrated that Western equipment has not yet arrived in its promised numbers. … Lack of air cover is another difficulty. …  In recent days Ukraine’s armed forces have made important advances in the crucial southern theatre, […]