Ukraine battles ‘elaborate’ Russian defences as Putin condemns Israel’s war: Analysis

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed criticism of his actions in Ukraine by comparing it to Israel’s war in Gaza. During a virtual G20 meeting, Putin acknowledged the shock caused by the war in Ukraine but questioned why the civilian population in Palestine was not equally shocking. This statement was seen as an attempt to portray Russian aggression in Ukraine in a more favorable light. Other world leaders expressed shock at Russian aggression before Putin made these remarks. While some saw his comments as conciliatory, others noted that his ambassador at large had previously stated that coexistence with the current Ukrainian government was not possible. Additionally, a Russian artist named Alexandra Skochilenko was sentenced to seven years in prison for spreading “false information” about the war. The artist had replaced supermarket price tags with messages against the war. This incident exemplifies the Russian government’s stance on criticism of their actions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian troops were launching counteroffensive actions, but had adopted a defensive posture in the east due to winter weather. However, Russian attacks in several Ukrainian areas have persisted. Ukrainian forces did establish a bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 Russian soldiers and the destruction of tanks and armored vehicles. Ukraine’s goal was to push the enemy further away from the right bank to protect the civilian population from Russian shelling. Despite this success, Ukraine has faced challenges in gaining territorial gains, particularly in the western corner of the front lines. The Russian military has constructed elaborate defenses in this area, which may be weakened by winter conditions.

Russia has also intensified its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, causing power outages in hundreds of towns and villages. The attacks involved Iranian-designed drones, including the Mohajer-6, which is capable of carrying four missiles. In response to these tactics, Germany has increased its defense aid to Ukraine, promising to supply 12 IRIS-T air defense systems. Additionally, Finland has announced the closure of most of its border crossings with Russia due to a surge in refugee arrivals, which Finland attributes to Russia’s manipulation of people and border controls.

This article provides a summary of recent developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The sources used to report these events are not explicitly mentioned, raising questions about their credibility. The article does not provide any information about the political landscape, potential biases, or the overall impact of the information presented. As a result, it is difficult to make a definitive evaluation of the article’s reliability.

The prevalence of fake news and the political landscape could influence the public’s perception of the information presented. Without access to reliable sources and a nuanced understanding of the conflict, individuals may be more susceptible to misinformation and biased narratives. It is important for readers to critically assess the sources and context of the information they encounter to form an objective understanding of the situation.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/23/putin-uses-gaza-to-defend-his-war-while-bombing-civilians-in-ukraine