No letup in fighting despite deteriorating weather
A Ukrainian tank crew member of the 21st Mechanized Brigade in the hatch of a German-made Leopard 2A5 battle tank near the front line in an undisclosed location in the Lyman direction of the Donetsk region, on Nov. 21, 2023.
Anatolii Stepanov | Afp | Getty Images
Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to conduct offensive operations in the east and south of the country despite rainy and snowy weather conditions, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War noted Tuesday.
Ukrainian Kherson Oblast Military Administration Advisor Serhiy Khlan noted on Monday that Russian shelling of the west bank of the Kherson region had decreased in light of poor weather conditions while Nadiya Zamryha, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian 14th Mechanized Brigade, noted Tuesday that Russian forces continue to conduct assaults in the Kupyansk area in the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine despite the snow and frost.
The ISW also noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need to strengthen Ukrainian capabilities before winter during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Monday.
So-called “milbloggers” have also been commenting on deteriorating weather conditions. Milbloggers have become a key feature of the Russian pro-war information space, although some have been critical of the defense ministry and its war strategy.
“Russian milbloggers claimed on November 20 and 21 that both Russian and Ukrainian forces are struggling to operate drones, including for artillery fire adjustment, in the poor weather conditions throughout the front,” the ISW noted in analysis Tuesday.
“Russian milbloggers also claimed that muddy conditions are complicating vehicle movements but that both Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to maneuver and operate in all directions,” it said.
“[The] ISW continues to assess that freezing weather conditions during the winter will likely prompt the resumption of more active combat…
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