The threat to the Ukrainian armed forces comes from the air

Vienna After two weeks of intensified fighting, Ukraine’s gains in its long-heralded offensive remain limited: the forces have liberated eight locations in the south, but in the Donbass the front appears to be moving in both directions.

In the past few days, the Kiev Ministry of Defense has repeatedly reported minor advances, especially around Bakhmut. On Monday, however, it was said that the situation was very difficult because the Russians had moved reserves to the east and were launching counterattacks in Luhansk and Donetsk.

On Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj once again dampened expectations of rapid gains in territory. “Some people think this is a Hollywood film and now expect results. But it’s not like that,” he told the BBC. Overall, the Ukrainian advance is “slower than desired”. The Ukrainian General Staff spokesman Andriy Kovalyov spoke without details of partial successes in some sections. In eastern Ukraine, on the other hand, the Ukrainian troops are largely on the defensive.