US to send Switchblade 600 anti-tank roving ammunition to Ukraine

The ongoing repositioning of Russian forces having left northern Ukraine suggests an upcoming massive effort by Moscow's armies in the Donbass, in order to secure the capture of the two Oblasts of Luhansk and Donetsk, as well as the Ukrainian coasts bordering the Sea of ​​Azov south of the Dnieper. Despite very significant losses, the Russians having lost more than 450 tanks and 800 armored vehicles since the start of the conflict in a documented manner, and probably more, the Russian forces still have significant reserves, especially since their artillery has been relatively preserved with "only" 4% losses compared to the theoretical inventory (compared to 17% of tanks and 9% of infantry combat vehicles), and a significant air power also having the full potential of the anti-aircraft defense deployed along the Russian-Ukrainian border. To face it, the Ukrainian armies have deployed more than 40.000 soldiers in this region, among the most seasoned and experienced they have, and new reinforcements are being redeployed from the northern fronts.

If the Ukrainian armies have demonstrated their great operational efficiency, a massive offensive by Russian forces in the Donbass will be very complex to counter, being unable to rely on the important points of fixation represented by the large cities outside of Dniepro and Zapoijjha on the Dnieper. In addition, if the Ukrainian infantry proved formidable, the artillery available to the armies of Kyiv is much less numerous than that aligned by Moscow, especially since Russian air power will be able to deploy its power more in such a theater . Finally, unless we agree to step back to extend Russian lines of communication and logistics so as to apply the same strategy as around Kyiv, the opportunities to carry out a campaign of harassment of Russian lines will be much more difficult to implement. in this region. In other words, and despite the incontestable qualities demonstrated by the Ukrainian armies, the battle of Donbass which is taking shape, and which could well prove decisive for the future of Ukraine, will be very difficult.

The best solution, to restore the balance of power and neutralize the advantage provided by Russian firepower and aviation, would naturally be to quickly deliver heavy assets to the Ukrainian forces, tanks, artillery, infantry fighting vehicles. and long-range anti-aircraft defenses, equipment that has also been loudly demanded by Kyiv for several weeks. However, both Europeans and Americans still seem reluctant to take such a step, fearing to provoke Moscow into an extension of the conflict, even if the Russian armies no longer have the capacity to carry out a conventional offensive against NATO or even against non-alliance EU members. Efforts are apparently being made in this direction by the United States and certain Eastern European countries, the only ones to have the same equipment as the Ukrainian armies capable of being quickly taken in hand and put into operation. carried out by these forces, but it seems unlikely that they will succeed before the start of the coming offensive, knowing that for Moscow, it is politically essential to show a victory before the May 9 celebrations.

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