Ukrainian President Volodomir Zelensky is struggling for help, pleading for weapons and more air defense systems so that Ukraine can defend itself against Russia. In fact, the Ukrainian army at the front is in danger of running out of steam, says SRF correspondent David Nauer, describing the current situation. He has just returned from a reporting trip to Ukraine.
SRF News: What is the current situation in Ukraine?
David Nauer: The country is currently almost as threatened as it was at the start of the major Russian attack at the end of February and beginning of March 2022. Ukraine is lacking ammunition – artillery ammunition at the front, but also ammunition for the air defense systems. In addition, Ukraine does not have nearly enough air defense equipment to be able to protect at least the larger cities from Russian attacks. This situation leads to a feeling of relatively urgent threat in the country itself. And that is noticeable everywhere.
How does this feeling manifest itself?
The city of Kharkiv, for example, is virtually defenseless against Russian attacks – around 1.5 million people lived in Ukraine’s second largest city before the war. Now it is the target of bombardments almost every day. The targets are power plants, but also civilian residential buildings. People there – and in other cities – have to deal with the fact that they may not live to see the next day.
Legend:
Keystone/Kremlin
For several months now, the Russians have been using old Russian aerial bombs more and more often, which weigh up to 1.5 tons – with correspondingly immense explosive power. The Russians attach wings to the bombs, which are actually uncontrollable, with a simple remote control system. This allows the bombs to be directed relatively precisely to the target. The bombs can be dropped by Russian aircraft dozens of kilometers from the front and directed to their target. This means that the Russian jets usually remain out of reach of Ukrainian air defenses. If a Ukrainian position at the front is hit by such a bomb, nothing will be left but a crater. There is also no advance warning of these bombs – as is sometimes the case with artillery fire. Such aerial bombs have also been dropped on residential areas in Kharkiv, which is only around 20 kilometers from the border with Russia.
What is the situation in the trenches, at the front?
During a visit to a Ukrainian position not far from the border with Russia, a soldier told me very impressively what it was like to be attacked with devastating Russian aerial bombs.
Only a single hand remains from the two men.
Such a bomb was dropped on his unit and two of his comrades were hit. Only one hand remained of the two men – nothing else. Such reports and the experience of total defenselessness from these bombs are very impressive – and shocking.
You have been to Ukraine several times since 2022 – what is different now than before?
A year ago, for example, there was great hope for the Ukrainian counteroffensive – but as we know, it failed. The Russians have been on the attack since last fall. They shelled the Ukrainian positions at the front with tremendous firepower – and then advanced with infantry.
The Ukrainians don’t just lack ammunition – they also lack soldiers.
Even if this is happening very slowly, the Russians are still making steady progress. On the Ukrainian side, it’s not just ammunition that’s missing, there’s also a lack of soldiers. Because those men who are not yet serving in the army have little desire to go into the trenches in the current difficult situation.
Legend:
When a Russian bomb hits, not much is left. Here is the bomb crater and destroyed buildings after a Russian attack in a village near Kharkiv.
Reuters
And how long will Ukraine last?
Nobody knows. One thing is certain: the Ukrainians are still determined to defend themselves against the Russians. To do this, they use whatever means they have at their disposal. A lot of drones are currently being produced that are equipped with grenades and then attack Russian vehicles, tanks and soldiers at the front.
If a lot of Western military aid doesn’t come soon, the risk of Russian breakthroughs increases.
The Ukrainians are trying everything to hold out. But there is an acute danger that the front will collapse somewhere and the Russians will actually be able to march forward. And if a lot of Western military aid doesn’t come to Ukraine very soon, the risk of Russian breakthroughs will increase.
The interview was conducted by Romana Kayser.