Russian tanks on display at Kiiu Square in the Ukrainian capital▶ Click here for a larger view
As the 24th marks the 6th month of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the all-out war has recently subsided, but the war between the two countries, which has been intense and localized in the Crimea and Zaporiza nuclear power plants, is gradually deepening.
Coincidentally, since the 24th also marks the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union, Russia’s predecessor, there is growing concern in the international community that a large-scale military clash will occur around this day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video message on the night of the 20th (local time) that “Russia might do something bad during the week of Independence Day.” .
“[Russian]occupation is temporary and there is hope that Ukraine will soon return to Crimea,” Zelensky said. .
Recently, battles have been quiet on the Eastern Donbas and Southern Fronts, but in Russia-occupied areas such as Crimea and the Zaporiza nuclear power plant, sensitive facilities have exploded or been bombarded with bombardment.
Russian tanks on display at Kiiu Square in the Ukrainian capital▶ Click here for a larger view
At the Japoriza nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, questionable shelling continued on the 5th, 6th and 11th.
Also, at a Russian military facility in Crimea, which is called ‘Putin’s holy land’, a series of explosions believed to be behind Ukraine caused heavy damage to ammunition depots and airfields.
Although the Ukrainian military has officially denied the attack on Crimea, a number of officials are now blatantly suggesting that it is a special operation of their own.
Defense Minister Olexi Rezhnikow recently said in an interview with the Washington Post (WP) that it is a new strategy to use up combat power by striking the enemy’s rear while waiting for the Western weapons to support the southern counterattack.
In this regard, the U.S. government announced on the 19th that it would provide additional arms support worth $775 million (regarding 1.35 trillion won).
The New York Times (NYT), an American daily, evaluated that “the additional support of weapons by the U.S. has the dual meaning of replenishing the artillery power that the Ukrainian forces need right away, and replenishing the arsenal with the counterattack in the south of Kherson in mind.”
Since the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration, the United States has poured a total of $10.6 billion in aid to Ukraine. There is an evaluation that the judgment is laid down.
In response, the Ukrainian army is also preparing for a counterattack, including the operation to retake southern areas such as Kherson.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky▶ Click here for a larger view
Kherson is a strategic strategic point that must be located when connecting Crimea with the Russian mainland, and Russia is so attached to it that it occupied it early right following the start of the war.
When Russia herald a referendum on the annexation of Kherson next month, Ukraine has blocked the supply route by hitting bridges connected to the outside with the high-speed mobile artillery rocket system (HIMARS) supplied by the United States.
Ukraine also set out to create an atmosphere by displaying captured Russian tanks and armored vehicles on Khreshchatik Street in the center of Kiiu, the capital, on the same day.
Russia seems to be preparing for a decisive battle.
The Ukrainian intelligence group Strategic Communications Center (StratCom) warned that “Russian freight trains carrying a large number of weapons have recently moved to the border,” and warned that “there is a high risk of Russia carrying out a large-scale bombing in time for the 24th.”
Recently, Russia has concentrated a large amount of surface-to-air missiles in Belarus in northern Ukraine, a pro-Russian state, and is preparing to turn the tide of the situation.
Since Belarus has been used as an outpost for Russian ground operations and bombing from the beginning of the war, it is analyzed that Russia is once more applying pressure to encircle Ukraine with heavy weapons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ▶ Click here for a larger view
“Belarus has been used by Russia since the first day of the invasion,” Ukrainian Air Force spokeswoman Yuri Inat said.
It is also expected that the Russian military will resume its invasion of southern Ukraine.
The port city of Odessa, west of Kherson, is where Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to win something to block Ukraine’s maritime trade routes, the New York Times said.
At the same time, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that its soldiers were subjected to biochemical terrorism in Zaporiza, where they were poisoned with type B botulinum, raising concerns regarding chemical warfare.
Zaporiza nuclear power plant seen from Nikopol across the Dnieper River▶ Click here for a larger view
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