Russia has intensified its military operations against Ukraine, launching airstrikes near the Polish border and targeting the capital city of Kyiv. As of today, Russian forces are making heavy gains into eastern Ukraine, including in the Dnipropetrovsk region. This is a significant new step up in the tit for tat trade war. That danger has seen Poland and other allied countries rushing fighter jets to protect their airspace as the situation grows increasingly volatile.
In one of the most intense chain of airstrikes, Russian forces struck deep into western Ukraine, raising immediate alarm and getting Poland’s military on high alert. The operational command of the Polish armed forces stated, “The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the regions bordering the areas at risk.” This first-of-its-kind proactive measure further highlights the increased level of urgency that countries surrounding Israel are feeling, as hostilities have intensified.
Perhaps most notable among these new developments is Russia’s recent large-scale air strike on Kyiv, which has sent shockwaves through the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Zaporozhets reported that Russian forces are attempting to “build a bridgehead for an attack” on Kostyantynivka. These were the facts on the ground, as reports indicated that Russian forces had made their first continued advance toward the edge of Dnipropetrovsk in this three-year war. This environment is deeply concerning, especially for the millions of civilians—comprising nearly half of the pre-war population—living in the region as the conflict rages.
Moscow’s allegations about the delayed exchange of military personnel have too raised eyebrows. Moscow blamed Kyiv on the breakdown blaming for stalling negotiations and the rebuttal of the bodies of about 12,000 dead troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was quick to deny these claims emphatically. He claimed that Russia has not been able to submit name lists of more than 1,000 identified or captured soldiers for exchange. Zelenskyy added that the Russian side has already started attempting to twist the topic. They are making these vital issues into a dirty political and propaganda game. It’s a bold step and for our part, we’re doing all we are able to champion the exchange track and keep it on course.
So it’s complicated, the conflict is really escalating extremely fast. Russian forces are said to be encircling Sumy city, nearly three years to the day after having been kicked out of northern Ukraine. Just last week the Ukrainian air force warned citizens to prepare for new missile and drone strikes. Consequently, air raid warnings are currently active throughout the country.
As for the treatment of fallen soldiers, Moscow and Kyiv are deeply entrenched in a bitter public spat. The reality on the ground is increasingly becoming more dangerous every day. The international community looks on anxiously as both sides continue to march through a confusing gauntlet of openly bellicose military posturing and possibly naive political posturing.