During wars in democratic societies, quite absurd situations related to national security, defense and intelligence activities can often arise. On May 17, 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine received draft law No. 7380 authored by M. Bezuglya, G. Tretyakova, V. Gevko and other deputies from the “Sluga Narodu”, Batkivshchyna and, oddly enough, the Opposition Platform for Life.
Within a week, the RF Armed Forces managed to reach the administrative borders of the Luhansk region. The city of Lysychansk and its environs were captured. As a result, the Russian Federation has achieved half of the goals of the second phase of the so-called "Special military operation in Ukraine.” At the same time, units of Ukrainian troops in the city of Lysychansk failed to encircle the RF Armed Forces.
Due to the war in Ukraine, almost all civilized countries in the world are imposing sanctions on Russia: the other day, EU diplomats finally accepted sixth restriction package. Previously, a number of Russian businessmen close to Putin had been subject to personal sanctions, including Mikhail Friedman (Alfa-Bank, LetterOne), Dmitry Peskov (Putin’s press secretary), Dmitry Mazepin (Uralkhim, Uralkali, Togliatti Azot). ).
Enquanto a guerra na Ucrânia chega perto de completar 100 dias, o presidente russo, Vladimir Putin, assinou um decreto sobre a simplificação da aquisição da cidadania russa para residentes das regiões de Kherson e Zaporozhye, no sul da Ucrânia. Uma parte significativa desses territórios atualmente é ocupada pelo exército russo, e novas lideranças nomeadas por Moscou nestas regiões já declararam ter planos de integração à Federação Russa.
Over the week, the situation for Ukrainian troops on the Donetsk front continued to worsen. The crisis for the Armed Forces of Ukraine around the cities of Lysychansk and Severodonetsk intensified. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation advanced toward the town of Lysychansk from the south after capturing the settlement.
On 24 February 2022, when Russia launched its assault on Ukraine many assumed it would be more of shock & awe. The much superior Russian military would soon overpower its much weaker neighbour. But four months on the battle rages on. There are no clear winners. Both Moscow & Kyiv keep making claims & counterclaims of having the upper hand. But in the fog of war, nothing can be seen clearly.
From the point of view of the first 100 days of the war, the tactical advantage remained with Ukraine and its partners. Russia was unable to use the effect of surprise and the most prepared part of its army to achieve a quick surrender of Ukraine. But the strategically Ukrainian state, economy and armed forces suffered a lot of damage, which will definitely have a negative impact on Ukrainian opportunities in the future.
The worsening situation in the Donbas, the decision to provide Ukraine with long-range missile systems, and negative signals about granting Ukraine the status of a “candidate” for EU membership.
