Nicholas Tonev
This was a first since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin had ordered his troops on Thursday to apply a 36-hour ceasefire, the time to officially celebrate Orthodox Christmas. However, shortly after the start of the truce, several Russian strikes were heard in Bakhmout, then in Kramatorsk.
A ceasefire that did not last long… The truce ordered by the Kremlin was not respected on Friday morning, when troops from both sides were to celebrate Orthodox Christmas until Saturday. Several artillery duels continued in Bakhmout, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine, and shelling was seen elsewhere in the country, including Kramatorsk. This only confirmed what kyiv, as well as several foreign powers, thought, namely that it was only an announcement effect.
A tank officer, in the Donbass since the start of the conflict in Ukraine and in contact with the editorial staff of Europe 1, confirmed having heard of the intention of a truce. “Overall, for us, what matters is first of all to live and to see. And finally, it’s all seen. There is no ceasefire,” he said.
Towards a turning point in the conflict?
This non-compliance with the ceasefire comes the day after the announcement by several Western powers – notably France, Germany and the United States – of deliveries of military vehicles and light tanks. An important contribution for the Ukrainian troops, since these transport vehicles, equipped with tracks, can follow heavy tanks on the ground and be equipped with missiles.
With the French tanks, the troops will therefore have to be more mobile. A sign too, of a real increase in Western support for the Ukrainians.