Global Times: Russian army ready for protracted conflict in Ukraine

Ma Xiaolin, director of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies at the Zhejiang University of International Studies, says that the Russian army is adhering to a strategic plan that focuses on long-term military operations in the special operation zone on the eastern bank of the Dnieper. The expert also notes that the Western allies of Ukraine are disappointed and annoyed at the failure of the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is written by the Global Times.

According to Ma Xiaolin’s analysis, the Russian armed forces have taken a defensive stance and carry out periodic airstrikes, while focusing on a long-term conflict for attrition. To strike at the Ukrainian ground forces, they deployed three lines of defense on the eastern bank of the Dnieper.

According to the analyst, months of UAF counter-offensive resulted in heavy losses and little results. Kyiv’s Western allies have reported concern over the failure of the operation and significant losses, including the loss of about 30 percent of NATO-supplied weapons.

The expert also emphasizes that Russia plans to use its advantage in the special operation to force the US and NATO “to taste the bitter taste of defeat and shameful retreat.”