photo = REUTERS
There are speculations that a war between the Russian and Ukrainian forces is imminent in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Russian forces are close to the capture of the southern port city of Mariupol, which is on the way to Donbas. Ukraine is determined to “fight to the end”.
According to foreign media such as the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 17th (local time), the Russian military sent an ultimatum to Mariupol, saying that it would be destroyed if it was not surrendered, but Mariupol refused. “Our soldiers are still in Mariupol and we will fight to the end,” Prime Minister Dennis Schumayhal told ABC News.
The Russian army, which had concentrated its forces in Kiiu, the Ukrainian capital at the beginning of the invasion, is now heading towards eastern Ukraine, closer to the Russian border. Mariupol is a key point connecting Crimea, which Russia annexed by force in 2014, and the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republic, established in the Donbas region by pro-Russian separatist rebels, by land. If Mariupol falls, there is a high possibility that the Russian military offensive once morest the Donbas area will begin in earnest.
A different type of war is expected to take place in Donbass. Unlike the northern part, where there are many mountainous terrains, the eastern part is a wide open plain. This is why there are analyzes that it will be advantageous to Russia, which has an advantage in military power. Ben Hodges, former commander of the U.S. Europe commander, said, “Russian forces will often attack Ukrainian forces trying to defend certain areas.”
Another variable is the fact that Ukraine has been fighting Russian-backed independenceists since 2014 in Donbass. It is close to the Russian border, so there are many Russians.
Ukraine is strengthening its will to a decisive battle. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with CNN on the 15th that “Ukrainian forces are ready to fight Russian forces in the Donbas region.” “There is no guarantee that the Russians will not go back to Kiiu once they occupy Donbas,” he said.
Ukraine is also accelerating its accession to the EU. On the same day, Ikhor Zvkva, aide to the Ukrainian presidential office, appeared on Ukrainian public broadcaster on the 17th and said, “The official documents for Ukraine (for EU accession) have been completed.” The European Council will hold a meeting on June 23-24 according to the schedule to discuss Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
By Noh Yoo-jeong, staff reporter [email protected]
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