Russia will “inevitably” surround and defeat a pocket of Ukrainian troops in part of Donbas, western officials have said.
But the offensive could push into the winter months, with Ukrainian troops fighting every step until the area, centred on the city of Severodonetsk, ultimately falls to Russia.
Officials believe that even if the Ukrainian forces are encircled and cut off from supplies they will fight with the same determination as that shown by their comrades in Mariupol.
The number of Ukrainian forces thought likely to be trapped is unknown, but about 300,000 civilians are in the area.
During a briefing with journalists, the official was asked by The National if reports of Ukraine being surrounded in Donbas were accurate.
“The Russians have now reorientated and moved their troops around in order to advance … to incrementally gain the territory in order to close that pocket,” he replied. “It’s our view that once they have joined up, no further aid will get into that group.”
The Russian capture of the area will happen “incrementally over time” he said, and “that pocket is a more achievable goal for the Russians”.
With Ukraine forces cut off it would be difficult to get arms and ammunition into the area through the “rat runs” currently used for supplies.
But being surrounded did not necessarily mean the Russians would be victorious.
“Once they’re encircled I’d emphasise that does not mean defeat for the Ukrainians. They will fight on and they have shown that they’ll fight on through their efforts in Mariupol.”
The cut-off troops would also perform a “vital function” because they would “degrade the Russian forces and create time for the remainder of Ukrainians to develop further defensive positions”, the official said.
Once the Russians had taken the pocket they will then focus on the bigger prize of Kramatorsk, the official said.
“It has always been the case that Russia has more mass and more capability than their Ukrainian counterparts.”
Following their failures around Kyiv and Kharkiv, the Russians had “narrowed” their ambitions, to take a smaller area, the official said.
But he warned the current Russian offensive would be relentless. “It’s inevitable that Russians having secured the Severodonetsk pocket they will then try and move on Kramatorsk … that that will be the next goal for them.”
He said the Russians were still losing lots of drones and were attempting to mobilise men aged over 40 to fill the ranks of the estimated 15,000 dead they have suffered.
If the Russians take too long in taking the Severodonetsk pocket, “their forces will suffer further losses and if it was getting to the winter months, that's a different proposition,” he said.
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Naga
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMeshal%20Al%20Jaser%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdwa%20Bader%2C%20Yazeed%20Almajyul%2C%20Khalid%20Bin%20Shaddad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
