Sunday reports American Institute for the study of war that Russian forces are likely to take over Mariupol in a short time. This despite the fact that they have suffered heavy losses in the city.
– The Russians will probably make great progress in the next few days in the attempt to conquer Mariupol, and probably take the city in the near future, they write.
Associate Professor Tom Røseth at the Norwegian Defense College thinks it is not a long time.
– I am afraid that Mariupol is very pressured, and there is a risk that that city may fall in the near future, Røseth says to TV 2.
Several senior Russians killed
On Saturday, Ukrainian authorities claimed that Russian General Jakov Rezantsev was killed in an attack near the city of Kherson.
– SUFFERING BIG LOSSES: Associate Professor Tom Røseth believes killings of senior Russians indicate big losses. Photo: The Armed Forces
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The message joins the ranks of senior members of the Russian military who have been killed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
– It is a sign that the Russian forces are suffering quite large losses, and that these generals have been advanced, perhaps to motivate the soldiers, Røseth says.
– As they know, they struggle with motivation problems.
Calling for weapons
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj encourages again NATO to send fighter jets and more weapon systems. He believes it is necessary, among other things, to save Mariupol.
– Ukraine can not shoot down Russian rockets with shotguns and machine guns, he said in one videotale night to Sunday.
According to Røseth, it is first and foremost air defense weapons and anti-tank weapons that Ukraine currently needs.
– How is the possibility of having weapons brought in now?
– It is still present. It is possible to transport material via NATO borders to the west, says Røseth.
– FIGHTING AIRCRAFT: US and Poland discuss deployment of MIG-29 aircraft in Ukraine. Photo: Kacper Pempel / Reuters / NTB
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The United States has previously refused to deploy Polish MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, but no longer opposes this, according to Ukraine’s foreign minister.
– If Poland and the United States agree on how to transfer it, these planes will be a strengthening of the Ukrainian defense. How to do it practically is a challenge, Røseth believes.
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