Kyiv Maybe it’s just the weather that got much worse this weekend. But in Kyiv and the surrounding area there is seldom any sign of unbridled joy at the Ukrainian army’s huge land gains on the front south of Kharkiv.
At least the sarcastic memes about Russia’s leadership and the images of heartfelt hugs from liberated villagers and soldiers sometimes evoke a smile.
Even the evening news, produced jointly by four television stations and the government, covers the advance with relative caution. The correspondent, who is standing in front of a dark street in Kharkiv, speaks of the population’s euphoria about the recapture of dozens of villages and advances to the Russian state border.
But her report from Hrakowe is about the murder of two men by Russian soldiers, which the police are now investigating. Then she shows gaunt villagers waiting in a dark basement for the occupation to end.
memories of spring
The contradictory feelings, according to interlocutors, are not least related to the experiences of spring. Back then, the sense of triumph after the Russians fled the wider Kyiv area quickly gave way to the horror of the murders, rapes and abuse of the civilian population in Bucha and Irpin.
They keep people busy and traumatized to this day. Despite exhibitions and documentation, the horror of this is difficult to grasp. The fear that the liberators in the east will now discover more crimes spoils the joy.
The Russian army committed numerous crimes against the population in the city.
(Photo: dpa)
It is noteworthy that the leadership in Kyiv is also dampening the joy, although the successes mean a liberating blow for them too. In his evening speeches, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the units for their heroism. And on Monday morning, the General Staff reported another 20 locations that the Ukrainians had taken control of in the previous 24 hours.
But in the very next sentence Zelensky warned: “The danger of air and missile attacks remains on the entire territory of Ukraine.” The army leadership reported 57 hits within the same period with deaths and injuries.
The fact that the Russians are reacting to the military setbacks with attacks on vital civilian infrastructure is particularly threatening for the Ukrainians: on Sunday evening, for example, the power supply and, in some cases, the water supply in major Ukrainian cities were temporarily lost after rocket attacks. The railway was also hit by revenge attacks.
The fact that ultra-nationalists in Moscow are now systematically calling for such attacks so that their country can finally wage a “total war” does not bode well – especially with regard to supplies in the approaching cold season.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praises his own army, but also warns of new Russian attacks.
(Photo: dpa)
Both civilians and soldiers will have to make further casualties in Ukraine. Despite all the motivation and willingness to fight, a certain exhaustion can also be felt in the country after six months of war. According to Commander-in-Chief Valeri Saluschni a few days ago, this will certainly last until next year.
Despite their successes, the Ukrainian troops are also weakened by high losses, which are hardly talked about in public. In order not to lose momentum, the state leadership is repeating like a mantra that the current offensive is just one step towards the liberation of all occupied territories, including Crimea.
“Russia’s Lend-Lease Program”
Under the impact of the collapse of the Russian front in the east, the government’s certainty of victory has increased. The hasty withdrawal is also proving to be a military blessing for the Ukrainians: According to estimates by military experts, the Russians left behind 400 tanks, many of which are only partially functional.
There are also large amounts of ammunition. Commentators in Ukraine are therefore only half-jokingly talking about “Russia’s Lend-Lease program” which is now benefiting their country. The captured military goods should strengthen the mechanized formations and relieve the shortage of Soviet-made projectiles.
On the other hand, there is hardly any information about the number of Russian prisoners of war. There are rumors of up to 5,000 men, which would correspond to about half the forces that were suspected in the city before the retreat from Izyum.
The challenge of moving so many people into and out of a war-torn region would be significant for Ukraine — especially since big cities behind the frontlines like Mikolayiv or Dnipro are already home to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Ukraine are seeking protection in other parts of the country.
(Photo: dpa)
In addition, there is the Herculean task of reintroducing Ukrainian statehood in the liberated area of 3,500 square kilometers – in schools and administrations.
Returning officials, provided they have not been deported or killed, must rebuild destroyed infrastructure, ensure security, reverse Russification programs, and solve crimes. Dealing with collaborators in particular will pose major challenges for the rule of law.
But all this depends on whether the Ukrainians can hold the conquered territory. Defense Minister Olexi Reznikov pointed this out in an interview with the Financial Times.
The counteroffensive was much more successful than expected. “After that, you have to control the liberated territory and prepare it for defense,” Reznikov said. The sober reaction of the Ukrainians to the successes shows that they do not underestimate the powerful opponent.
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