Since the Russian invasion on February 24, many lives have been lost.
British intelligence estimates that around 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed during the war, while Ukrainian authorities claim that the number is closer to 39,000.
In addition, several million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homeland, reports say FN.
The war now appears to be at a standstill, with neither side making any significant progress. But that does not mean that hard battles are not fought.
– INTENSIVE WAR: Military analyst Ander Puck Nielsen says it is very interesting to see what is going on in the south of the country. Photo: Kamilla Elming Lausten.
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– It is not quiet at the front lines. Intensive warfare takes place here, where a lot of ammunition is used, says military analyst at the Danish Defense Academy, Anders Puck Nielsen.
Planning “spectacular” offensive
According to Nielsen, Russia announced at the beginning of July that they were going to take an “operational break”.
But it is not clear whether Russia has now ended the break or not.
The most interesting thing to follow now is what is happening in the south of the country, says Nielsen to TV 2.
– Ukraine has announced that they are planning a spectacular offensive. They want to regain lost areas, and there are indications that Ukraine has launched this offensive in the south of the country.
The indications Nielsen refers to are the bombing of bridges over the river Dnieper in Kherson. These are bridges that were used to supply Russian forces in the city. The major port city of Kherson is the gateway for shipping to the rest of the country along the Dnieper River, and fell to Russian forces early in the invasion.
– We can say that the Kherson region will definitely be liberated by September, and all the plans of the occupier will fail, Serhij Khlan, adviser to the Kherson governor, said in an interview with Ukrainian TV on Sunday.
– IMPORTANT CITY: The photo shows the Antonivskyi Bridge over the Dnieper River in Russian-controlled Kherson. Photo: ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO/Reuters
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“Practice example” in the Russian media
If Ukraine wins Kherson back, it will be a defeat for Russia, according to Nielsen.
– It will then be the first time Russia has to admit defeat since March. It could be difficult for Russia, he says.
Especially since Russia has mentioned the city of Kherson a lot in the media.
– Russian media have referred to Kherson as a splendid example of a Russian-controlled city. It is quite unpredictable how Russia will react if they lose the city, he says.
Arms delivery essential
Ukraine is in the process of rearming its military. This rearmament depends on a further supply of weapons from the West.
– Russia is still a strong military power that is pushing, but they have a serious problem with getting enough soldiers. Both sides are losing equipment and soldiers, so we just have to wait and see who holds out the longest, says Nielsen.
The supply of weapons from the West can help change the dynamics of the way the countries wage war. Missile systems sent from the United States has enabled Ukraine to hit targets from longer range.
The rocket system has a range of up to 80 kilometers. With this, Ukrainian forces can hit targets at long range.
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