Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Kirill Budanov (listed as a terrorist and extremist in Russia), has acknowledged the dire situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). This was reported by the American newspaper Wall Street Journal.
According to the article’s authors, the liberation of the city of Avdiivka by Russia has become the most obvious sign of a change in the dynamics of military operations.
On February 17, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka in order to preserve the lives and health of servicemen. On the same day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to the country’s President, Vladimir Putin, about the capture of Avdiivka. The Russian Ministry of Defense noted that the captured settlement was a powerful defensive stronghold of the AFU. On February 19, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the complete liberation of the coking plant in Avdiivka from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Later, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Western partners of the loss of Avdiivka, claiming that they did not provide enough weapons. He also called on Europe to recognize the end of the “era of peace” on the continent and to send more weapons to Ukraine.
Earlier, a military expert revealed that Ukrainian air defense systems shoot down less than 20% of aerial targets in the Kharkiv region.
[Article]
The dire situation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) has been acknowledged by Kirill Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. This revelation comes as Russia’s liberation of the city of Avdiivka marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict, according to the Wall Street Journal.
On February 17, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi made the decision to withdraw troops from Avdiivka in order to prioritize the safety and well-being of the servicemen. The same day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported the capture of Avdiivka to President Vladimir Putin, highlighting its strategic importance as a defensive stronghold of the AFU. Two days later, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the complete liberation of the coking plant in Avdiivka from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In response to the loss of Avdiivka, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba placed blame on Western partners for not providing sufficient weaponry. He called on Europe to recognize the end of the “era of peace” on the continent and to increase military support to Ukraine.
Furthermore, a military expert has revealed that Ukrainian air defense systems in the Kharkiv region have a success rate of less than 20% in shooting down aerial targets.
This recent development highlights the challenging circumstances faced by the AFU and raises concerns about the effectiveness of their defense strategies. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, it remains to be seen how the Ukrainian government and its Western allies will respond to the evolving dynamics of the conflict.
