Zelensky Signals Donbas Could Soon Fall: ‘Indescribably Difficult’ Russian Onslaught
Admission comes only a week after Biden and Congress sent $40 billion dollars to Ukraine.
In a Saturday night speech Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave their most dire assessment up to now of the status of Ukraine forces in the eastern Donbas region, where for over at least the last two months Russia has concentrated its forces, adopting the Feb. 24 invasion of the country. Saturday marked the particular 95th day of the conflict.
He described conditions there as “ indescribably difficult” in what marks a notably pessimistic shift plus negative tone for the Ukrainian leader, strongly suggesting late Donbas – or at least whole regions such as Luhansk – could be imminent. He recognized several intense ongoing battles in places with a big Russian force presence, including Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, Bakhmut plus Popasna. Sievierodonets especially is scene of brutal up-close street battles.
“ But our own defense holds on, ” Zelensky sought to assure the public. “ It could indescribably difficult there. And am am grateful to all those who withstand this onslaught from the occupiers. ”
As the AP explains of some instances of “ close-quarter combat” :
Ukrainian regional officials reported that Russian pushes were “ storming” Sievierodonetsk after trying unsuccessfully to encircle the city . The fighting knocked away power and cellphone program, and a humanitarian relief center could not operate because of the danger, the mayor said.
Zelensky in the address also denounced what he called “ absolutely senseless, openly barbaric strikes at the Sumy region, ” which left a minumum of one person dead and seven wounded and two in critical condition, saying additional mortars struck close to a kindergarten.
“ These are the enemies selected by the Russian Federation, ” he added. With this, he or she again called on the Western and world leaders to official label Russia because a “ terrorist state” – something US has thus far resisted doing, even after Biden previously described Russia’s activities as “ genocide”.
“ This is fair and reflects the daily reality that the occupiers have created in Ukraine and are eager to bring more to Europe. And this must be legally enshrined, ” he said .
The Biden administration has meanwhile signaled the united states is getting ready to ship long-range rocket techniques to Ukrainian forces , a major first marking a significant escalation. But given exactly what appears to be Russia’s steady progress over Donbas, it’s most likely too-little too-late to turn the tide for the Ukrainians within the East.
Americans have been fed a steady diet of propaganda regarding Ukraine “winning. ” In fact , Russia has taken Lyman (a key logistics hub) and has encircled the Ukrainian military in Sievierodonetsk. I’m not really pro-Russian. I am pro-American, plus pro-sticking to facts. https://t.co/e75MwpYXdD
— Jim Rickards (@JamesGRickards) May twenty-seven, 2022
Just prior to these latest remarks, upon Friday night, the Ukrainian leader vowed he would resist any territorial concessions with regard to a negotiated peace – as a small handful of Western officials have called for – instead saying that Donbas will be “ Ukrainian again” .
“ We are protecting our property in the way that our current protection resources allow, ” he previously said according to a presidential workplace transcript. “ We are doing everything to increase them. And we will increase them. ” Nevertheless , all of this appears to be preparing the general public and his Western backers in order to brace for bad information in the days and days ahead. As all of us noted Friday , even The Washington Post has changed its narrative, suggesting for the first time that will things are looking worse designed for Ukraine’s military than earlier thought.