This news of the front could be decisive for Ukraine

A Ukrainian soldier takes Russian prisoners of war. Similarly, who went during recent fights north of Pokrovsk.Libkos / Getty Images Europe

Barely a week ago, the situation was critical for Ukraine in the Donetsk region, in Donbass. Therefore, But the trend seems to be reversed.

Bojan Stula / Ch Media

This Monday, everything indicated that the Ukrainian army had managed to contain the Russian advance north this news front could decisive of Pokrovsk. Consequently, While a partial collapse of the Ukrainian defense in Donbass seemed imminent last week. In addition, it was now the Russian forces, who had managed to break through, who find themselves taken in vice.

Image: AFP

The Ukrainian army was able to quickly dispatch reinforcements. Therefore, in particular the elite unit of 1^e Azov body, to contain this breakthrough in the shape of a finger which had sunk up to 15 kilometers in its lines. Similarly, Even better: kyiv went to the counterattack. For example, According to the Institute this news front could decisive for the Study of War (ISW). Furthermore, based in Washington, the Russian troops failed to supply their advanced units in time, a major logistical failure which could have made the whole operation condom.

Encouraging signs. but prudence – This news front could decisive

According to figures put forward by Ukraine, the Russians have lost more than 900 soldiers, had 300 injured, and nearly 40 were taken prisoner in this area. On Monday. Ukrainian paratroopers even published a video on Facebook showing the reconquest of two villages located on the axis of the Russian offensive.

In the Pokrovsk region.Image: Imago

Still according to the ISW. these fights reveal a persistent weakness of the Russian army: its difficulty in quickly seizing fortified positions or urban areas. The breakthrough north of Pokrovsk occurred through open fields, without major fortifications on the Ukrainian side. A temporary advantage that Moscow could not exploit.

But the alert is not completely lifted. The Ukrainian staff reminds that Russia would have massaged more than 100,000 soldiers around Pokrovsk. Previous attempts to the southwest having failed, Putin troops have changed their strategy by launching their attack from the north. According to kyiv, new offensives are expected, led by small motorized groups.

No way to give in the field

This punctual victory offers Zelensky a weight asset in this news front could decisive his upcoming discussions with Donald Trump on a possible end of war. Putin’s claim. which requires Ukraine to abandon all the oblast of Donetsk on the pretext that his conquest would be inevitable, is once again baseless.

According to the calculations of the ISW. at the current rhythm of the fighting, it would take “several years” to Russia to militarily occupy what remains of Ukrainian territory in the Donbass. Of the 26,500 square kilometers of the Donetsk region, around 7,600 are still checked by kyiv. And these areas include key cities like Sloviansk. Kramatorsk, solidly anchored in the defensive belt of the “Fortress of Donbass”, which the Russians have never managed to break.

On the German channel ZDFin the show Today journalthe expert of Ukraine Carlo Masala. warned against any attempt to give up these territories voluntarily. A Donbass entirely this news front could decisive under Russian control would drastically facilitate a future offensive to kyiv. while considerably reducing the defense capacities of Ukraine.

Translated and adapted from German by Léon Dietrich

Donald Trump received Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington to evoke a possible peace in Ukraine. This crucial meeting proved to be very different from that which had seen the American president publicly humiliate his. Ukrainian counterpart in late February.

Donald Trump expressed a certain optimism on Monday on the possibility of arriving at peace in Ukraine. receiving volodymyr Zelensky kindly. When the latter arrived, at around 1:15 p.m. locally (19:15 Swiss), the republican complimented him on his dark jacket and shirt, replacing his usual military inspiration.