According to the Ukrainian National News Agency 13**, the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Syrsky, said that the situation on the front line is difficult, and the Ukrainian army has shifted from offensive to defensive on the front line.
What are the main challenges faced by the Ukrainian army after it has shifted from offensive to defensive? Has the balance of power between Russia and Ukraine tipped in? Let's take a look at the analysis of Zhang Hong, a researcher at the Institute of Russia, East Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Whether the Donetsk region can be held is the primary challenge of the Ukrainian army.
Zhang Hong, researcher at the Institute of Russia, East Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Ukraine will still face three major security challenges in 2024. First of all, in the Donetsk region, it is necessary to face Russian military pressure. The Russian army, with its comprehensive advantages in terms of equipment firepower and military strength, continues to increase the size of the Donetsk region, which has caused tremendous pressure on the Ukrainian army. In the Donetsk region, not long ago, the Russian army just took Maryinka, and recently encircled the Ukrainian army on three sides in the Avdeyevka region, and cut off the logistics supply line of the Ukrainian army in the region. In **Mut, the continuous onslaught of the Russian army has also caused certain losses to the Ukrainian army. Whether or not the Donetsk position can be held in 2024 is the first military pressure and challenge for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian army will face more complex air defense pressure.
Zhang Hong, researcher at the Institute of Russia, East Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Second, the Ukrainian army will face more complex air defense pressure. Due to the Russian army's investment in more high-tech **, there has been a major pressure on Ukraine's air defense network, and the Russian army's "Dagger" and "Zircon" hypersonic missiles have appeared in Ukraine, making Ukraine's air defense pressure in 2024 more difficult, not only to defend against tactical missiles, cruise missiles, fighters and drones, but also to deal with the pressure from hypersonic missiles.
The military support of the United States and the West for Ukraine may have to be "discounted".
Zhang Hong, researcher at the Institute of Russia, East Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Third, Ukraine is facing logistical pressure. Due to the partisan dispute between the Republican and Democratic parties in the United States in Congress, the approval of the aid bill to Ukraine has not been approved for a long time, so the Western military aid received by Ukraine in 2024 may have to be "discounted", and the lack of support will lead to a lot of pressure on the Ukrainian army in terms of logistics and ammunition.
The United States and the West have not completely given up, and Russia and Ukraine are still in a strategic stalemate.
Zhang Hong, researcher at the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a strategic game between Russia and the West, it is impossible for the West to completely abandon Ukraine. Security pressures on Ukraine may rise in 2024, but overall it will remain a strategic stalemate, a protracted war and a war of attrition.