Protracted war: Russia and Ukraine regroup forces in Donbass
Nearly three months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow faces a protracted war, the prospect of conflict, and an adversary emboldened by victory on the battlefield and for guarding it.
Russia’s offensive in the Donbass has lost momentum, which is well behind schedule and is unlikely to be sharply accelerated in the British month, British military intelligence says.
Russian media report on the success of the Russian troops at Azovstal. Meanwhile, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine announced the start of a pre-trial investigation into the use of banned incendiary projectiles by Russians in Mariupol. In the wake of the investigation, on May 14, Russian citizens attacked the last stronghold of resistance in the city, using incendiary shells with thermite balls, which are prohibited by the INF Treaty under humanitarian law.
The wives of the defenders of Azovstal do not necessarily hope for their salvation.
Natalia Zaritskaya, Azovstal defender’s wife: “He said that the ring around Azovstal is narrowing and the end will come soon.”
The reporter: “Do you think you still see him?”
Zaritskaya: “Yes, I am. With my mind, I hope there’s no chance, but with my heart a disclosure that we can save them.”
Against the backdrop of reports of a Russian offensive on Lisichansk and Severodonetsk, Kyiv is moving tanks and heavy artillery to the east of the front. The Russians expect to encircle Ukrainian forces there. To hinder detection progress, the Ukrainians are blowing up bridges.
Russia continues to strike at railways, factories and other facilities throughout Ukraine, including in the Kharkiv region. Although from the vicinity of Kharkov itself, which, according to experts, was a key goal of Moscow at the beginning of the invasion, it was necessary to move away from the general troops.