At the end of 2024 situation on the front for Ukrainy The outlook is very unfavorable. The German daily “Die Welt” asked the expert and the soldiers fighting on the side for a comment Kiev. Both the specialist's and the military's moods are not optimistic.
“Ukraine is starting the new year from a position of military weakness. Morale in the army has also dropped significantly.” – wrote the daily.
Journalists point out that Russia has been gradually taking the initiative for several months on all sections of the front, which is over 1,200 kilometers long – the strongholds of the Ukrainian defense in the Donetsk Oblast are falling – including, among others, in Pokorivsk, Kurakhovy and Chasiv Yar – which, according to expert Markus Reisner, means that “The Russians have reached the culmination of their offensive.”
“Die Welt” emphasizes that the offensive in the Kursk Oblast was supposed to give, according to Ukrainian leaders, a new impetus in the war, but ultimately, Kiev's strategy failed, because the troops Kremlin They have already retaken more than half of the lost territory, helped by reinforcements from North Korea.
– These Ukrainian reserves (which were transferred to the Kursk region – ed.) could have been much better deployed elsewhere – says Markus Reisner, head of the Officers' Improvement Institute of the Theresian Military Academy in Vienna. He emphasizes that Russia is most likely will regain the rest of the territory lost since August 2024 by spring 2025.
Kherson and Zaporozhye aimed at the Kremlin. “We have no people, weapons, ammunition and technology”
The German newspaper estimates that the Kremlin's goal is still to completely conquer two southern regions of Ukraine – Kherson and Zaporozhian.
Ukrainian artillery officer Roman Greszczuk – serving near Kherson – believes that their positions are so strong that even if the Russians attempted an offensive across the Dnieper, they would they would have no chance of beating the defenders.
However, the daily indicates that from January to October 2024 more Ukrainian soldiers deserted than in the previous two years of the war combined. “The Financial Times” reported on behalf of Ukrainian prosecutors that an investigation was initiated during this period 60 thousand cases towards soldiers who left their positions without permission.
“Our army is suffering from some kind of depression because everyone realizes that we cannot win as we expected,” said Ukrainian drone pilot Dmytro, deployed near Kupiańsk, in an interview with “Die Welt”. “We have no people, weapons, ammunition and technology” – added Oleksandr, who fought in Bakhmut in 2023.
Shortages in the Ukrainian army. “There are seven Russians for every Ukrainian”
The German newspaper emphasizes that serious staff shortages remain one of Ukraine's biggest problems. “On some main sections of the front There are up to seven Russians for every Ukrainian soldier. – wrote the editorial team, citing accounts of soldiers fighting on the side of Kiev.
“On the one hand, this shortage means that the army is forced to abandon the defense of new areas. On the other hand, the situation is demoralizing for Ukrainians already fighting on the front. Many of them feel disappointed and complain that “The mobilization of new recruits is too slow” – said the daily.
Ukraine planned to recruit at least 50 thousand soldiers per quarter, but in 2024 this goal was not achieved. Meanwhile, according to Western intelligence agencies, he joins the ranks of Russians every month from 25 to 30 thousand new fighters.
“Thanks to this – and also thanks to the support of allied countries such as North Korea, Iran i China – The Kremlin has so far been able to compensate for losses on the battlefield – emphasized “Die Welt”.