“The situation is unusually difficult,” Ukrainian President Zelensky recently admitted, highlighting the severe situation in the direction of the Donetsk Red Army city.
At this time, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that it had surrounded 31 battalion-level units of the Ukrainian army and approximately 5,500 soldiers in the area.
Meanwhile, in the direction of Kupiyansk, Kharkov, another 5,000 Ukrainian troops were encircled. The two-line warning on the battlefield not only revealed the results of the Russian summer offensive, but also highlighted the systemic difficulties facing Ukraine.
Putin’s inspection of the images of the relevant command, to some extent, was also intended to send a signal to the outside world that the Russian army’s upper ranks are in close control of the battlefield.
As for Gerasimov's report on the Russian-Ukrainian front, it is not only a battle report, but also a proactive indication to the outside world that the Russian army has fully grasped the initiative on the battlefield.
As we all know, once the important hub city of Red Army City is lost, it may trigger a chain reaction across the entire Donbas defense line in Ukraine.
The Russian military’s two-line siege strategy reflects the maturity of its tactical thinking.
At the same time in the Red Army City and Kupyansk, the Ukrainian army was unable to concentrate on rescue rescue and had to divide the two sides. This multi-point pressure tactic is consuming the already tense human resources of Ukraine.
Zelensky's "logistical security is very tense" describes the difficulty faced by the Ukrainian army in the Red Army City.The Russian army controls all major supply routes, putting the city's guards in a situation of isolation and helplessness.
The siege in modern warfare is different than before.
The 24-hour monitoring of the drone swarm leaves any rescue attempt exposed to the enemy's field of vision. If Ukrainian troops want to enter the Red Army City, they must first travel a short distance by car and then walk 10 to 15 kilometers. Such actions often encounter fatal blows from Russian drones.
The Russian army's tactics are very clear: they are not in a hurry to attack, but by cutting off supplies and continuing to consume them, the defenders in the encirclement will collapse on their own. This strategy of war of attrition is maximizing the Russian army's advantages in firepower and resources.
Faced with the battlefield crisis, the West's response seemed to be powerless.
The sanctions imposed by the United States on Russia's two major oil companies are difficult to reverse the battlefield situation in the short term.
The fluctuation in energy prices, on the other hand, may, as Putin said, make Western countries “uncomfortable.”
Moreover, it is worth considering that while the weapons aided by the West can strengthen the Ukrainian army’s combat capabilities, it is difficult to solve the fundamental problem of the shortage of troops.
Trump's cancellation of plans for a meeting between U.S. and Russian leaders shows that a diplomatic solution remains slim. The prospect of what The Wall Street Journal calls "the war in Ukraine will last for many years" is becoming a cruel reality.
The astonishing ratio of the remains of fallen soldiers handed over by Russia and Ukraine-it is said to be 38: 1. Although it is difficult to independently confirm, it reflects to a certain extent the cruel reality of asymmetric casualties between the two sides. This asymmetry is not only reflected in the numbers, but also in the differences in the population base and the ability to replenish troops between the two countries.
Russia has relatively alleviated the problem of military tension through partial mobilization and improved treatment. Ukraine, on the other hand, faces the dilemma of maintaining social stability and ensuring frontline troops.
Putin firmly believes that "Russia will eventually exhaust Ukraine's resources", and this judgment is being reflected in the current strategy. The Russian army no longer pursues quick victory, but continues to consume Ukraine's war potential through steady advancement and multiple pressure.
At the same time as surrounding the Red Army city, the news of the Russian test of the nuclear-powered cruise missile "Haiyan" is also worth concern.
Obviously, Russia is actively releasing it to the outside world. They have enough advantages to win this kind of war and have the ability to achieve their own strategic goals.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov pointed the root cause of the conflict to NATO's eastward expansion. Although it was to seek legitimacy for Russia's actions, it also reflected Russia's deep concerns about geopolitical security.
Enclosure on the battlefield and strategic deterrence are a double pressure on Russia.Ukraine and the West must not only cope with military pressure on the battlefield, but also meet Russia’s comprehensive challenge on a strategic level.
The situation in Red Army City is not only a tactical failure, but also a shadow of the overall Ukrainian defense system facing the test. With the winter approaching, both Russians are in a race with time – the Ukrainian army urgently needs to stabilize the defense line, while the Russian army hopes to expand the outcome.
This offensive defense battle around the Red Army City has gone beyond the mere terrain competition, becoming a teststone for measuring the strength and will of both sides.