Large battlefield breakthroughs now nearly impossible, Ukrainian commander says
Photo: Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
A relative stabilization of the line of contact is currently being maintained at the front. Large-scale breakthroughs of dozens of kilometers, as before, have become practically impossible, says deputy commander of the Air Force, colonel Pavlo Yelizarov, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda.
Commenting on the situation at the front, Yelizarov said that the situation is now stabilized because in modern warfare, advances are very difficult for both sides.
“There are technological solutions that can change the situation — both for them and for us. The question is who implements them faster and how the other side responds. But large-scale breakthroughs, as before — over dozens of kilometers with columns advancing — are now practically impossible,” he said.
Answering the question of whether Ukraine has the resources to withstand the war for another two years, the colonel emphasized that this depends on international support.
According to the military officer, Ukraine is already receiving significant financial support from European partners, but it is critically important to maintain its stability in the long term.
“We have all become soldiers in a certain sense. Ukraine has a very strong intellectual potential, and we are transforming these resources into new types of weapons. For example, our interceptor drones already accelerate to 700 km/h. We started from 100. This is a different level,” he said.
Speaking about the possible end of the war, Yelizarov stressed that any conflict ends sooner or later, but the key question is on what terms.
“If we increase efficiency and raise enemy losses, this could lead to their internal demoralization. And then I do not rule out a counteroffensive,” he noted.
He also warned about the risk of escalation, including the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons from Russia, and emphasized the importance of a clear and early position of international partners regarding such a threat.
Situation at the front
Russian troops, despite substantial losses, continue trying to change the situation at the front. Ukraine’s Defense Forces are inflicting massive losses on the enemy and gradually exhausting its resources.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi earlier said, Ukrainian forces retain the strategic initiative and are not allowing Russia to resume a large-scale offensive.
One of the key factors of the Armed Forces’ advantage is the development of unmanned technologies. Drones currently account for the largest share of enemy losses on the front.
According to available estimates, the ratio of the use of strike drones by Ukrainian forces to Russians is 1.3 to 1, in favor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Western media reports that Russian president Vladimir Putin is confident he is winning at the front and is ready to fight for full control of the Donetsk region for another two years.
