Section: The Centre for Eastern Studies (Poland)
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...
More intensive arms supplies and training for the Ukrainian army. Day 344 of the war
Russian forces are still putting pressure on the Ukrainian positions in Bakhmut and the towns north and southwest of it, making it hard for the defenders to rotate troops and deliver supplies to the town itself. The aggressors have made advances south of Siversk, expanding their area of control over the road connecting that town to Bakhmut; they...
Ukraine: a wave of dismissals against a background of corruption
In the last ten days of January 2023, several corruption scandals were exposed in Ukraine, resulting in a series of top officials being fired from the state administration. On 21 January 2023, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) detained Vasyl Lozynsky, deputy minister for the development of communities, territories and...
Western tanks won’t reach Ukraine before spring. Day 340 of the war
Bakhmut, along with villages north and southwest of the town, is still the site of the heaviest armed clashes. Ukrainian forces have repulsed further attacks on Ivanivska on the road from Bakhmut to Kostiantynivka, but are not able to use it as a supply route. The Russians were also said to have unsuccessfully renewed attacks south and east of...
Leopards and Abrams for Ukraine. Day 336 of the war
On 25 January, the German government announced that it intended to provide Kyiv with a company of 14 Leopard-2A6 tanks from the Bundeswehr’s reserves, along with a package of logistics and ammunition, and had agreed to its other allies donating Leopard-2 tanks to the Ukrainian army. At the same time, it announced that it intends to...
