Ukraine needs to fight back the invasion and win war Expert comments on new Russian attack

Analytics 18:00 13.01.2023

It is noted that the armed leadership of Russia has gathered approximately 150 thousand troops in the territory of Belarus close to the border areas of Ukraine. At the same time a number of Russian tanks, artillery and military vehicles have been sent to Belarus and all of them have been engaged in battle training.

Russia has been also preparing the army of Belarus to enhance its capability to fight in the battles.

It is reported that the Belarusian army consists of about 500 thousand soldiers, but the total number of forces with mercenaries in its territory is about 225 thousand.

To What extent could it be true that Russia would launch a new large-scale attack on the northern territories of Ukraine in the direction of Belarus?  

In his comments to Ednews, Sebastian Schäffer, an expert for Eastern and Central Europe noted that Russia could make any attempt to take Kyiv.

“I think that we should all have learned by now that only a very limited number of people are having an insight into what Putin might do next. The change in the military command might indicate a change of tactics as well or just be a diversion in itself. However, the signs pointing to a new mobilization of additionally up to 500.000 soldiers could indicate another attempt on taking Kyiv. However, the casualties of the Russian army are very high and the ill equipped as well as poorly trained recruits already fighting in Ukraine need constant replacement. So it might also simply be out of necessity. It will be interesting to see if Belarus will follow with a mobilization itself and become an active part in the war”.

Noting the present maneuvers of Russia in Belarus to divert the attention of the Ukrainian army from the strong battles going on in the eastern front to the north, he stressed that it could create opportunities for the Russian armed forces to regain the lost strategic areas in the east.

“It certainly could be a diversion to open a new theater of war in order to alleviate the situation for the Russian soldiers fighting in Eastern Ukraine. According to some military analysts, currently there is no real capacity to take Kyiv for the Russian army. However, this might change due to additional forces being drafted, new belligerents, and/or lack of support for Ukraine”.

Touching upon the next steps by the Ukrainian army to defend its northern territories from the threat of Russian invasion, Schäffer said that the Ukrainian armed units need the continuous supply of the well-equipped weapons.  

“I think that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are very capable of defending Kyiv as they have proven before. What they need is further military equipment and here especially tanks. As I am just following the discussion without any further military expertise, however, I believe that ultimately the reasons for stalling the delivery of further equipment are futile. If we want Ukraine to be able to withstand to be expected further escalation from the Russian Federation, it doesn’t matter if tanks are labelled as defensive or offensive, they need to serve the purpose to help Ukraine to fight back the invasion and win the war”.  

By Yunis Abdulayev

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

The village of Jahangirbeyli is being rebuilt
13:05 24.04.2025
The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China is reaching a qualitatively new stage
12:48 24.04.2025
Leyla Aliyeva met with students at Beijing Foreign Studies University
12:33 24.04.2025
Armenia might resort to military provocation against Azerbaijan with France's support
12:23 24.04.2025
"China has become Azerbaijan's 4th largest trading partner"
12:23 24.04.2025
"We have sincere feelings for Azerbaijan"
12:13 24.04.2025
Pakistan ready to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan in peaceful space exploration
12:12 24.04.2025
China and Azerbaijan build comprehensive strategic partnership: messages from the country's leaders to the world
11:51 24.04.2025
Azercosmos to sign up to 10 Memorandums within the Space Technologies Conference
11:37 24.04.2025
Members of the world-famous ''NomadMania'' travel club are in Fuzuli
11:22 24.04.2025
President Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to China's CGTN TV channel in Beijing
11:11 24.04.2025
A book of condolences was opened at the Italian Embassy in Baku on the death of Francis
11:07 24.04.2025
Trainings for government officials responsible for communications organized in Baku Media
10:56 24.04.2025
"Azerbaijani Cinema Days" to be held in Turkiye
10:44 24.04.2025
ILRS can expand cooperation opportunities with Azerbaijan in the space field
10:37 24.04.2025
Space Technologies Conference to be held in Uzbekistan next year
10:31 24.04.2025
The 17th Summit of the economic organization is a struggle in Khankendi
10:23 24.04.2025
Azerbaijan to be represented at regional financial conference in the US
10:19 24.04.2025
Nikol Pashinyan condemned the burning of Azerbaijani and Turkish flags
10:15 24.04.2025
Fitch: US tariff hike will have minimal impact on Azerbaijani banks
10:12 24.04.2025
A solemn concert dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibeyli was held in Bishkek
10:10 24.04.2025
Discussion of "Immunization Week" in Azerbaijan from April 27 to May 3
10:08 24.04.2025
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with the chairman of ''Energy China''
08:22 24.04.2025
Artificial intelligence can detect lung cancer four months before doctors
05:13 24.04.2025
Over 30,000 hectares of fruit orchards established in Azerbaijan
12:45 23.04.2025
Mascots of 3rd CIS Games to be held in Azerbaijan announced
12:42 23.04.2025
China has invited President Ilham Aliyev to the SCO Summit
12:02 23.04.2025
Azerbaijan and China signed documents in Beijing
11:54 23.04.2025
Armenia yet to confirm participation in 3rd CIS Games in Azerbaijan
11:35 23.04.2025
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan actively develop interparliamentary cooperation
11:29 23.04.2025
Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and other family members visited the Great Hall of the People
11:24 23.04.2025
The 4th meeting of the Space Agencies of the Turkic States Organization is being held in Baku
11:18 23.04.2025
Six green energy documents signed with Chinese companies
11:07 23.04.2025
The Azerbaijan-China strategic partnership is reaching a new stage
11:03 23.04.2025
Azerbaijan's success at COP29 was rewarded in London
10:55 23.04.2025
''I lost two sons in one day": victims of mine terror appeared at the trial of Ruben Vardanyan
10:44 23.04.2025
Members of the Azerbaijan Union of Chernobyl Disabled People visited the Alley of Martyrs
10:44 23.04.2025
The joint satellite of Azerbaijan, Turkey could be the flagship cooperation in the space field
10:40 23.04.2025
The mascots of the III CIS Games to be held in Azerbaijan
10:32 23.04.2025
Azerbaijan-China documents signed in Beijing
10:30 23.04.2025
Hamısı