Recently, the village of Ocheretyne in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region has been decimated by fierce fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Drone footage obtained by AP shows that nearly all of the houses and apartment buildings in the village are severely damaged. The footage also reveals that not a single person can be seen, indicating the devastating impact of the conflict on the local population. Despite Moscow’s costly advance in the area, with constant artillery attacks, drones, and bombs, Kyiv has struggled due to critical shortages of equipment from the West, particularly the US, which have likely aided Russian forces on the battlefield. Ukraine has acknowledged that Russia has gained a strong foothold in Ocheretyne, which once had a population of around 3,000 people before the war. However, the fighting continues as residents desperately try to flee the area, with some forced to walk long distances to reach safety, such as a 98-year-old woman who trekked nearly 10 kilometres to reach the Ukrainian front lines.
In addition to the attacks on Ocheretyne, Russian forces have intensified their assaults on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. The goal behind these attacks is believed to be aimed at disrupting the region’s energy infrastructure and instilling fear in its 1.3 million inhabitants. Dr Jade McGlynn, a Research Fellow in War Studies at King’s College London, has commented that Moscow’s campaign of terror in Kharkiv has a clear objective of breaking the will of the population in order to force them to surrender to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to believe that Western powers will eventually give up, and Ukrainians will be grateful for an end to the terror. Recent attacks in Kharkiv have resulted in injuries to civilians, including a 13-year-old, as well as damage to a civilian building that was set ablaze by exploding drones launched by Russian forces.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces has escalated, with Ukraine beginning to use long-range ATACMS missiles provided secretly by Washington to strike Russian-held areas. Ukraine’s use of these missiles, which have nearly double the striking distance of the mid-range versions received from the US last year, has targeted a military airfield in Crimea and an area east of the occupied city of Berdyansk. The Russian Defense Ministry claims to have shot down four of these US-provided missiles over the Crimean Peninsula, but provided no further details. The use of these advanced missiles signifies a shift in the conflict dynamics, with Ukraine now having the capability to strike deeper into Russian-held territory, potentially changing the course of the ongoing battles between the two nations.
Overall, the situation in Ukraine remains dire as both Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to engage in fierce fighting across various regions. The village of Ocheretyne has been left in ruins, with most buildings damaged beyond repair, and residents fleeing for safety. The intensified attacks on Kharkiv further highlight the brutal tactics being employed by Russian forces to break the will of the Ukrainian population. The use of advanced missiles by Ukraine indicates a shift in the military capabilities of the country, potentially altering the balance of power in the conflict. As the fighting rages on, the international community must continue to monitor the situation closely and work towards diplomatic solutions to bring an end to the devastating conflict in Ukraine.
