Russia launches attacks on Avdiivka, displacing refugees in Nordic countries. : Analysis

Russia has launched a series of attacks on Ukraine’s eastern defenses in an attempt to capture Avdiivka before winter, resulting in significant casualties during the 92nd week of the war. Ukrainian forces claim to have eliminated 1,100 Russian soldiers and 30 tanks in just one day. The intense fighting has led to about 6,260 Russian fatalities during the week of November 20-26, along with the destruction of 78 enemy tanks and 113 armored combat vehicles. According to Ukraine’s estimation, over 325,000 Russian soldiers have died in the war so far.

However, there are concerns about Russia’s ability to sustain its military efforts. Experts suggest that Russia’s tolerance for human losses may diminish due to shrinking population and social reactions. Ukrainian forces have reported waves of Russian attacks involving small groups of soldiers, indicating potential manpower limitations. Additionally, there have been reports of Russian soldiers surrendering to Ukrainian forces.

While Ukraine has stated that its counteroffensive will continue through the winter, its forces appear to be primarily focused on defending against Russian attacks. The only areas where Ukraine’s general staff has reported conducting counteroffensive operations are near Robotyne and on the left bank of the Dnipro river.

In the air, both Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in attacks against each other. Russia deployed a record number of 75 Shahed drones against Kyiv on November 25, which Ukraine’s air force claimed to have downed the majority of. Ukraine plans to increase its mobile air defense units to counter the drone threat.

Furthermore, Russia is allegedly pursuing non-military means in its hybrid war. Finland has closed three border crossings with Russia for a month, accusing Moscow of deliberately sending asylum-seekers to create a refugee crisis. Other Nordic countries such as Latvia, Estonia, and Norway have also expressed concern about an increase in asylum-seekers and are considering closing their borders with Russia.

There are also commercial disputes affecting EU-Ukraine relations. Slovak and Polish truckers have threatened to block border crossings with Ukraine, citing competition from Ukrainian truckers. They are calling for the EU to re-implement a permit system for non-EU truckers. Additionally, Poland and Hungary previously threatened to stop the transit of Ukrainian grain through their territories, claiming it was negatively impacting their farmers.

These issues highlight the challenges EU leaders may face as they consider declaring Ukraine an official EU candidate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes for such recognition, along with US military aid approval and EU military aid approval.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a budget increase of 70% for defense and security spending in 2024, representing 39% of the entire Russian budget.

Overall, the article presents a collection of events and statements from various sources without providing concrete evidence or detailed analysis to support its claims. The sources cited, such as Ukrainian military officials, experts, and foreign ministers, introduce potential biases that may influence the presentation of facts. The article’s focus on casualties and military maneuvers may contribute to a one-sided understanding of the conflict and overlook broader political and diplomatic dynamics. Without independent verification and a more comprehensive analysis, readers may find it challenging to form an accurate and nuanced understanding of the situation. The impact of misinformation in this context is further exacerbated by the political landscape and the prevalence of fake news, which can result in the public’s misperception of the situation and potentially shape policy decisions based on incomplete or biased information.

Source: Aljazeera news: Russia unleashes assault waves on Ukraine’s Avdiivka, refugees on Nordics