The New York Times publishes a report from Rabotyno on the Melitopol route.
Military analysts have characterized Ukraine's current strategy as "hold, build, and strike" at Russian rear areas.
Rabotine is a defensive position in the Russian Federation, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine can be attacked from three sides and the front line here periodically moves in both directions. But the soldiers say that there is no point in retreating. Soldier Oleksandr says that then the Ukrainians will simply have to fight on other positions in similar conditions.
“We need to protect every meter,” he said.
Former advisor to the Minister of Defense Yuriy Sak says that holding this village and others like it, which the NYT does not consider strategically important, is “important for morale, support for the population, internal belief in our potential for victory.”.
“At some point the symbolic becomes strategic,” Sack said.
The fighters believe that it is more profitable to fight on the defensive, because the Russian Federation must abandon its fortified positions and suffer heavy losses, although its side has an advantage in aviation and ammunition.
American weapons donated for the counteroffensive last year, including Stryker armored vehicles, have proven useful for defense now.
A similar situation exists in Krynki on the left bank of the Dnieper. The Russian Federation continues to advance here, with three assaults on Monday alone. Ukrainian officials believe that the battles for this “bulge,” which is secured by boats, are worth it because they cost Russia significant losses. But Washington is skeptical about the need to hold the position at all costs.
Throughout the war, American officials have repeatedly expressed concern that Ukraine has been defending such places for too long, forcing soldiers and ammunition to cling to devastated cities that have little strategic value.
“I understand that the (Biden – Ed.) administration is disappointed. It is unclear whether the military decisions are purely military, or influenced by political pressure, or even directly,” says McCain Institute director Evelyn Farkas.
