Experts discuss recent battlefield developments in Ukraine, including the fall of Avdiivka and US aid money. A Ukrainian soldier shares his reasons for joining the armed forces. Personal reflections on the impact of war and the repression of a Russian activist for criticizing the conflict.
President Zelensky revealed 31,000 Ukrainian troops killed, highlighting human cost of conflict.
Strategic importance of Avdifka in conflict, showcasing challenges faced by Russian forces.
Deep dives
President Zelensky Reveals Ukrainian Soldier Casualties
President Zelensky publicly disclosed that 31,000 Ukrainian troops were killed during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the staggering loss. This revelation aimed to provide insight into the human cost of the conflict, with Zelensky highlighting the pain inflicted on Ukrainian families and civilians. The disclosure of casualties sparked discussion on the psychological warfare aspect of revealing such figures, as it can impact the perceived strength of each side. Zelensky also noted that tens of thousands of civilians have died in the occupied territories, raising awareness of the widespread impact of the conflict.
Strategic Importance of Avdifka in the Conflict
The podcast delves into the strategic significance of Avdifka, a small settlement near Donetsk city, in the ongoing conflict. Despite its relatively small size, Avdifka has been a focal point of intense fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Russian efforts to capture Avdifka resulted in significant casualties, raising questions about the operational importance of the settlement. The prolonged battle for Avdifka showcased the challenges faced by Russian forces, as they encountered heavy losses while making limited territorial gains in the region.
Outlook on the Conflict and Western Support for Ukraine
The episode analyzes the current dynamics of the war in Ukraine and the potential outcomes for both Russia and Ukraine. It highlights the factors favoring Russia in the conflict, such as Ukrainian resource shortages and operational challenges. The discussion also touches on the impact of Western aid on the conflict, emphasizing the importance of timely provision of military support. Additionally, the episode explores the European stance on deploying troops to Ukraine and the complexities surrounding foreign intervention in the conflict.
How significant are Russia’s recent gains on the battlefront?
Karolina Hird, from the Institute for the Study of War, explains the current situation on the “dynamic” front-line, what a good year would look like for Ukraine and why the fall of Avdiivka isn’t as strategically important for Russia as it may seem.
And we hear from one Ukrainian soldier on why he decided to sign up to fight just six months ago.
Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
The producers were Keiligh Baker, Clare Williamson, Ivana Davidovic and Arsenii Sokolov. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480 You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord.
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