Two years have passed since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. However, there seems to be no end in sight to this conflict. Neither Ukraine nor Russia, nor their allies, seem to see the possibility of a peaceful solution. Kyiv insists on the restoration of internationally recognized borders and the expulsion of Russian troops from its territory; Moscow, for its part, insists that Ukraine is not a real state and vows that its army will continue to advance until its goals are achieved.
The war took a huge toll on both sides. The front is 1,000 kilometers long and has hardly changed significantly since the fall of 2022. Ukraine succeeded in pushing back Russian forces from the north and around the capital Kyiv in the early stages of the war, and later recaptured large swaths of territory in the east and south. However, now Russian forces have dug trenches and entrenched positions, while Ukraine claims that its ammunition reserves are running low. Many observers, including the dismissed commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Zaluzhny, and some pro-Kremlin military bloggers, believe that a military stalemate has emerged.
In terms of battlefield dynamics, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the eastern town of Avdiyivka in mid-February was seen as a major victory by Russian forces. The town of Avdiyivka is strategically important and could open the way for further invasions. However, Kyiv said that the purpose of the withdrawal was to save the lives of the soldiers, and did not hide the disadvantage in the number and quality of its troops. Still, Russia's tiny advances on the battlefield are far from its original goals.
Over the past two years, Ukraine's allies have provided it with huge amounts of military, financial and humanitarian aid. However, in recent months, the debate over how long NATO can realistically support Ukraine has intensified, leading to a reduction in aid to Ukraine. At the same time, the sanctions are not working as much as Western countries would like, and Russia is still trying to ** oil and procure components for its military industry.
Although the Russia-Ukraine war is now in its third year, the prospects for peace remain slim. Both sides have paid a huge price, and the stalemate on the battlefield seems to be difficult to break. In the future, the war is likely to remain stalemate, with both sides continuing to compete for territory and resources on the battlefield. At the same time, the attitude and support of the international community will also have an important impact on the course of the war. However, regardless of the outcome, this war will bring deep disasters and losses to both sides.