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Today’s Focus: The epic battle between Russia and Ukraine in Kurzsk involving tens of thousands, Zelensky admits war will end next year; Russian army digging mass graves, Putin’s new directive to collapse Russian economy; exclusive footage of American tanks facing off three; Ukraine and Israel jointly announce airstrikes on 16 buildings of Hezbollah.
While everyone thinks that the hottest topic now is the new cabinet appointed by Trump, the real battlefield that’s heating up is actually between Russia and Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine are in a strange state where they cannot figure out Trump’s true intentions, feeling the need to do something drastic before Trump takes action, to avoid embarrassment.
You can praise or criticize Trump, but everyone has to admit that Trump is back, and he is a dominating figure who can sway the world. Sometimes I wonder: who is the most terrifying person in war? Obviously, it’s someone unpredictable and can influence the outcome of a war.
The presence of Trump has left Putin and Zelensky scratching their heads, resulting in a fierce battle for Kurzsk to have more leverage at the negotiation table next year. Putin cannot afford to hand over Russian land as a bargaining chip, while Zelensky knows that Kurzsk is a card he cannot afford to let go of. Thus, the recent intense battle in Kurzsk is of utmost importance. Just knowing that Ukrainian Chief of Staff Selski personally went to the front lines in Kurzsk to command the battle shows its significance.
Currently, both sides have over 50,000 troops engaged in the battle. How intense is the fighting? A week after Trump’s victory, Russian forces bombarded their own land in Kurzsk over 11,000 times. Additionally, Russian forces launched nearly 400 anti-aircraft missiles and deployed over 2,100 attack drones. The Kurzsk front witnesses countless battles daily, giving us a glimpse of the daily warfare.
Zelensky revealed on November 15 some realities of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Surprisingly, he mentioned that the war will end through diplomatic means next year and that they must do their best for this outcome. This is the first time I have heard such a statement from Zelensky. Furthermore, his comments contained two crucial pieces of information: Ukraine has been waiting for the delivery of some Western weapons for 12 months, and the US has yet to deliver at least half of the promised weapons; additionally, aside from the hot battle in Russia’s Kurzsk, Russian forces have launched a full-scale assault on the eastern front of Ukraine. He emphasized the fatigue of Ukrainian forces in the east, the need for rotation, and highlighted his strategy of prioritizing people before land.
This also explains the recent expansion of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky even mentioned, “We are facing significant challenges in the east, we cannot throw Ukrainian combat units like cannon fodder.”
On the Russian side, they aim to quickly gain ground to increase leverage in future negotiations. Recent attacks often involve battalion-level human wave tactics. How brutal is the fighting? Soldier Heromatov from the 12128th unit’s 21st brigade recorded a video on the front line where Russian forces repeatedly attacked for three days but could only occupy 4 streets. Their unit suffered heavy casualties, with more deaths than injuries, leaving only four surviving members.
Another exposed video showed Russian forces digging graves and burying hundreds of fallen soldiers within Ukrainian occupied areas.
Recently, in an effort to control war costs, Putin signed a new policy compensating severely injured soldiers from 3 million to 4 million rubles, while compensation for lightly and slightly injured soldiers decreased to 1 million rubles (around $10,000) and 100,000 rubles (about $1,000) respectively. This policy, which on the surface seems to have both ups and downs, has sparked strong dissatisfactions among soldiers who feel that the promises made to them have not been fulfilled. Essentially, this so-called new policy boils down to a lack of funds. Without reducing expenditures, the Russian economy is struggling to survive.
Clearly, both Russia and Ukraine are in a deadlock and, because of Trump, they not only have to endure but also need to intensify their efforts to expand their war capabilities. So, what measures will the Trump administration take regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war?
There are signs pointing towards potential actions. Trump’s newly appointed National Security Advisor Waltz indicated the need to provide a large amount of arms and ammunition to Ukraine far beyond what the Biden administration is currently providing, also suggesting the removal of current restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American long-range weapons to compel Putin to negotiate.
A prominent US political magazine, Politico, in a lengthy analysis on November 15, stated that Trump will not strip Ukraine of weapons and aid; they even consider hoping for a rapid end to the war. Additionally, Trump’s new Secretary of State Rubio described Ukrainians as “incredibly brave and strong,” but also highlighted the “reality of the war,” stating that the Russian war on Ukraine has reached a “deadlock,” causing significant unnecessary loss of lives, necessitating the “end of the war.”
The Russian-Ukrainian war is about to enter its third year, and not only are both sides, from military to civilians, feeling war-weariness, but also NATO and the US are hoping for a swift end to the conflict. The focus is on how to stop the war, and due to Trump’s failure to provide a definitive answer, the past two months have been a frustrating and tense reality. However, fortunately, the answer seems imminent. So, what are your expectations for this “answer”?
Apart from launching a full-scale offensive in Kurzsk and the eastern front of Ukraine, Russian forces have intensified attacks on major Ukrainian cities. The defense capabilities of Odessa, Ukraine’s most important grain port city, are relatively weak. On November 13, the Dutch Prime Minister, in the company of Zelensky, personally visited Odessa, announcing a donation of Patriot missile defense systems to enhance the city’s defense capabilities. However, prevention is better than cure, on November 14, a massive swarm of Russian attack drones once again attacked Odessa, with Ukrainian anti-aircraft guns firing fiercely, painting the sky with alarming flames of war.
In my opinion, the only bargaining chip for Ukraine at the negotiation table is the currently occupied Russian Kurzsk region. While the Ukrainian forces may strategically retreat in the east, they will not budge an inch in Kurzsk. In fact, six elite combat brigades have just been dispatched to Kurzsk, bringing the total number of Ukrainian combat brigades against Russian forces to 15. Against the recent extensive mechanized Russian offensives, Ukrainian forces have employed a full range of minefields and drone tactics, posing a significant hurdle to Russian advances. Let’s examine how Russian attacks on Ukrainian positions in Kurzsk’s 47th brigade were thwarted.
Once Russian forces breach the minefields and drone interceptions, direct and brutal combat follows. Recently, in the Kurzsk war zone, an American M2A2 Bradley tank of the Ukrainian forces encountered three BTR-82A armored vehicles of the Russian army in a narrow path.
Apart from the battlefront’s offensive and defensive strategies, cutting off the opponent’s logistical supplies is an essential tactic. Ukrainian special forces’ drone support detachment has turned an important supply line in Kurzsk into a dead end.
While there have been reports of Israel beginning to provide Ukraine with a variety of weapons, especially anti-aircraft systems, now it’s official that Ukraine and Israel have joined forces: Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel announced that Ukraine has received all components of Israel’s early warning missile system, particularly its three-dimensional radar. Despite Israel’s own engagements, they are indifferent to rubbing Russia the wrong way. Firstly, Israeli itself is like the “bully” in the animal kingdom, regardless of who you are, they act if they are disgruntled.
For instance, on November 13, Turkish President Erdogan announced a cutoff of relations with Israel, and Israel promptly declared support for the Kurdish armed forces seeking independence in Turkey, claiming that if any foreign interference occurs, Israel is willing to send troops to assist the Kurds.
Additionally, some recently uncovered facts have irked Israel, leading them to be furious. Recently, the Israeli military found tens of thousands of Hezbollah weapons in Lebanon, originating from Russia. Now, Israel is not only assisting Ukraine in producing their own weapons but also providing Ukraine with captured Russian weapons from Hezbollah. Since they cannot directly engage in conflict with Russia for now, Israeli forces have redirected their aggression towards Hezbollah, bombarding Hezbollah’s missile production base and weaponry warehouses in Beirut, Lebanon.
After destroying Hezbollah’s weapon depots, Israel still felt unsatisfied. On November 15, Israel bombed 16 buildings belonging to Hezbollah, demonstrating its expertise in targeted demolitions, showing they mean serious business. Let’s take a look at one of the pinpoint demolitions by the Israeli forces.
Israel is not only infuriated with Russia and Turkey but also with the continuous interference of the United Nations. While conducting a sweep against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel encountered two terrorists about to launch an attack, only to have a large UN water truck blocking their path. A soldier mentioned this was the second incident of such nature he had encountered. If this continues, one wonders if the UN will eventually provoke Israel.
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