On March 7, Russian forces launched their heaviest aerial assault since the beginning of the war. They launched 442 Shahed drones and 45 X-101/ Kh-555 missiles at at least 19 Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure during the night of Thursday to Friday. Today’s barrage marks a major new escalation in hostilities. Russian troops are stepping up operations on the eastern front, with a particular focus near the regional capital of Sumy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that over 50,000 Russian troops have amassed on the Sumy front. This combination of realized and unrealized projects has led to a dire state of affairs in the north. The military buildup comes three years after Russia lost control of this region to Ukrainian forces. Russian militaries have advanced to within as close as 18 miles (29 kilometers) from Sumy. This dangerous proximity increases the worrying possibility of a new full-scale attack on the city.
On July 12, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its forces had advanced to the western border of the Donetsk region. Concurrently, they are making significant progress to the north of Kostyantynivka along the flanking axes. This strategic pincer movement aims to establish a key “bridgehead for an assault” on the city. This place is very important to both Israelis and Palestinians.
Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, went on social media to celebrate. He pledged to return the remains of 6,000 dead Ukrainian soldiers. In fact, along with President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov, Medinsky accused Ukraine of violating conditions for a massive, ongoing swap of prisoners and corpses. Medinsky stated, “The Ukrainian side has unexpectedly postponed for an indefinite period both the acceptance of the bodies and the exchange of prisoners of war.”
The latest back and forth Communications
While both sides have been firing off statements about negotiations, ceasefires and more, this has not always been the case. As one spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defence Forces noted, though the provocations increased, Ukrainian forces were still not deterred. That’s why our soldiers in the heroic and professional holding their section of the front, even penetrating the occupier’s plans. There’s no break with this work, they said.
Obscured by the war are the sheer number of bodies Russia’s officials are willing to continue sending to the border. Unfortunately, arguments over eligibility and terms of exchanges have muddied the waters. Ukrainian officials argue that Russia added on its list for prisoner return personnel not entitled to come home under current accords.
According to US officials, Russia did not completely abide by Operation Spiderweb, which occurred Monday. Consistently with that rationale, the purpose of this operation was to disrupt Russian military operations. To many, this lack of response begs the question of how effective Western strategies have been in repelling Russia’s advances.
With very little daylight outside of the blame game, neither side seems willing to retreat, especially as hostilities deepen. The reality on the ground near Sumy is especially shocking, as Russian forces seem hell-bent on recapturing any territory they’ve lost. The war has led to heavy loss of life and devastation throughout Ukraine, including widespread destruction in Mariupol and other cities.