The atmosphere here in Donbass seems to have changed in recent days – a sense of urgency, a sense that the Russians are in a rush. Driving through towns and villages here in the east, you can only observe a steady stream of agricultural machinery moving behind areas that are most at risk of falling. Ukraine’s vital agricultural industry can not afford to lose this valuable equipment. either stolen or destroyed in this artillery battle. The continuing insistence of all Ukrainian officials, from the president onwards, that Ukraine will oust Russia from the country is admirable and expected. But the reality on the ground is that the West has not sent enough of the heavy artillery and equipment that Ukraine needs. What they have is running out with astonishing speed and they lose a lot of men every day. Russia has recalculated this after its initial confused strategy. With its huge supplies and no ammunition changing the game to deal with, they can simply crush the Ukrainian resistance. It is a credible strategy, Russia has used it in the past and it works. Russia has already claimed control of 97% of the Luhansk region. Its sights will be the Donetsk region next, and the main cities and towns of Bakhmut, Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. The governor of Donetsk, who works in the current regional capital Kramatorsk after the Russian-backed separatists occupied Donetsk in 2014, told me with uncertainty that what the West had promised was crucial to maintaining the territory. “I do not just guess, I know that the quantities of weapons that Ukraine needs, the specific list of weapons provided for heavy artillery, armored combat vehicles, aviation, anti-aircraft systems, anti-tank missile systems and how fast they can be can affect the quality of defense. “, told me. Read more: Weapons run out on the south line of the front that has just been moved for weeks I asked him what would happen if this help did not come. “It simply means that we will support our country for as long as it takes and we will not give up an inch of our territory,” he replied stoically. “And no matter what the future holds, we will protect our land.” In fact, the governor was simply saying that the fight would continue with or without help. And with no chance of a ceasefire after negotiations, the result would probably be very bad. These are difficult and critical times for Ukraine.
