‘Action Against the West’
Following Ukrainian advances in the second half of 2022, the front lines have been largely frozen for two months, despite heavy losses on both sides.
On Monday, Russia’s new in-charge of military operations in Ukraine used his first public comments to warn that modern Russia had never seen “an intensity of military hostilities,” calling for aggressive operations to stabilize the situation. was forced to
“Our country and its armed forces are today acting against the entire collective West,” Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov told news website Argumenty i Fakty in comments published late Monday.
Military reforms announced in mid-January may be adjusted to respond to threats to Russia’s security, including Sweden and Finland’s aspirations to join NATO and “a tool for waging hybrid warfare against our country”. use of Ukraine as”.
In his address, Zelensky said, the Russian army is shelling and attacking Ukrainian positions round the clock.
Ukraine says the Western tanks will provide mobility, protection and firepower for its ground troops to break through Russian defensive lines and resume their advance.
US lawmakers have pressed their government to export M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, saying even a symbolic number would prompt European allies to do the same.
Britain has said it will supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks. French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out sending Leclerc tanks.
Moscow sought to apply its pressure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “All countries that participate, directly or indirectly, in pumping weapons into Ukraine and increasing its technological level, are responsible for the continuation of the conflict”.
Since its invasion on February 24, 2022, which it has presented as defending itself from an aggressive West, Russia has seized control of parts of Ukraine it says it will never return.
Ukraine has said that restoring its territorial integrity is not open to negotiation.