Section: The Centre for Eastern Studies (Poland)
Bakhmut is defending itself. Day 365 of the war
Russian forces made slight advances northwest of Bakhmut, as well as in the northern, eastern and southern parts of the town, approaching the centre. However, their attacks southwest of Bakhmut aimed at outflanking the town, and the attempts to expand the area they control on the western side of the Donetsk-Donbas canal, have failed. The...
Agricultural production in Ukraine has declined significantly
According to information from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, in 2022 the harvest of the main types of cereals (corn, wheat and barley) and oil crops (sunflower, soybean and rapeseed) amounted to nearly 65 million tonnes, which is almost 40% less than in the previous year (see Chart 1). However, this significant decrease in...
Slovakia, Hungary: minister Káčer’s controversial comments
Slovakia’s foreign minister Rastislav Káčer has once again sharply criticised the actions of Viktor Orbán’s government. In a post on his Facebook profile published on the evening of 20 February, referring to Budapest’s policy on the war, he wrote that only one country in the EU is worried that supporting Ukraine would prolong...
Putin’s neo-totalitarian project: the current political situation in Russia
As the invasion of Ukraine began, the totalitarian ambitions of the Putin regime were revealed on a larger scale than ever before. These designs have been reflected in increased repression, the unprecedented encroachment of the state into the private lives of citizens, the growing ideologisation of the public discourse, and top-down efforts to...
Putin’s address: an attempt to unite Russians and blackmail the West
In his address to the Federal Assembly (the combined chambers of the Russian parliament) on 21 February, Vladimir Putin merely reiterated many of his earlier claims. In the sphere of international politics, he blamed the West exclusively for the war in Ukraine and accused it of pursuing aggressive plans towards Russia. …read more Source::...
The reluctant co-aggressor. Minsk’s complicity in the war against Ukraine
Since the beginning of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Republic of Belarus (RB) has made its territory and its military, transport and logistical infrastructure available to the Russian army. However, the Belarusian army is not taking part in the hostilities. Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime is reluctant to become directly...
No new armaments for Ukraine from Ramstein. Day 358 of the war
Ukrainian forces have managed to push the invading forces back south of the Bakhmut-Kostiantynivka road, but it is still in the combat zone, and cannot be used as a supply line. The defenders can still be supplied via the local road through Chasiv Yar, but civilians are being restricted from entering the town due to the fighting, and the...
A year of war in Ukraine’s foreign trade
The Russian invasion has led to a collapse in Ukraine’s trade, in particular foreign trade. It has also caused major changes in the geographical structure of its imports and exports. Due to the Russian blockade, Ukrainian ports have lost their status as the country’s main export gateway. Rail and road transport has gained in...
Fierce battles for Bakhmut. Day 350 of the war
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Army has reported that the enemy’s offensive northwest of Bakhmut has been halted in some places, as have the attacks taking place in the area south of the M03 highway leading to Sloviansk (Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Dubovo-Vasylivka). Russian forces have severed the Bakhmut-Kostiantynivka road link, and are...
Russia is massing forces for a new offensive. Day 347 of the war
Russian forces have intensified operations on the border of the Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts. They are continuing to press Ukrainian positions on the eastern bank of the Oskil river, and between the western bank of the Zerebets river and the border of the oblasts. They are aiming to reach the line of the Zerebets on the border of the Donetsk and...
