Le Point: Why is the Ukrainian front collapsing in the face of the Russian army’s advance?
The French Le Point magazine reported in a report on the progress of Russian forces on the front, which Ukrainian soldiers attributed to a shortage of weapons, ammunition and equipment.
The French magazine indicated that the battles in the southeast of the Donetsk region are witnessing great violence, as Ukrainian fighters suffer from the pressure of repeated Russian attacks, which forced them to retreat.
The report added that Russian forces, despite their slow progress since last February, continue to gain more ground thanks to the severe shortage of military equipment among the Ukrainians, such as weapons, ammunition and armored personnel carriers.
Despite the efforts made by the Ukrainian army in this war, the limited support from Western allies, especially the United States and Europe, has cost Ukraine significant human losses.
Le Point continues that Russian forces are focusing on the southern Donbas to weaken Ukrainian resistance, allowing them to threaten the cities of Dnipro and Zaporizhia and control important economic areas such as coal mining.
Le Point describes the siege of the city of Avdiivka as a turning point in the conflict, as the city had held out since 2014, but intensive attacks using guided bombs forced the Ukrainians to withdraw in February 2024 to avoid being surrounded.
Despite the Ukrainian leadership’s statements about redeploying forces to defensive positions, the report noted the lack of adequate or quality fortifications on the battlefield, which Ukrainian soldiers strongly criticized.
Ivan, a drone operator, confirmed that some trenches were built incorrectly, with openings facing Ukrainian forces instead of the enemy.
A military intelligence officer also noted that the Ukrainian authorities have not taken the time since 2014 to build effective fortifications, which has left significant gaps in the Ukrainian defenses.
In contrast, the Russians excel at building their fortifications, such as the “Surovikin Line,” which protects their forces from Ukrainian drones.
However, drones are emerging as a key tool in disrupting Russian advances, but the war is now primarily infantry-based.
With the increasing use of drones, conditions are no longer favorable for armored attacks, making the number of soldiers the decisive factor in this conflict.
The report concluded by noting that the phenomenon of desertion among Ukrainian soldiers has become common, especially among new recruits who lack motivation.
