[Global Times correspondent in Russia Sui Xin Global Times correspondent Ren Zhong Liu Yupeng] "The situation in Ukraine has reached a key node, which may determine long-term results." CNN reported on the 15th that with the rapid advance of Russian troops in important cities in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian troops "running out of old Soviet weapons" are facing difficulties. Ukrainian officials are not only disappointed that Western military aid "flows into combat piecemeal", but also worried that Western commitments "will soften at a critical moment". The Governor of Lugansk State said on the 14th that Russia has now controlled about 80% of the industrial city of North Donetsk in eastern Ukraine and destroyed all three bridges out of the city. The website of the Royal Joint Research Institute of the Three Armies said on the 15th that the "most dangerous stage is approaching" of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. French President Macron said during his visit to Romania on 15th that Ukrainian President Zelensky would "have to negotiate with Russia".
MSNBC)15 reported on the 15th that Russian troops blew up the last bridge in North Donetsk.
British media said that "Russia occupied 80% of Northton"
CNN15 reported on 15th that at present, military conflicts are mainly concentrated in two sister cities on both sides of the North Donetsk River — — North Donetsk and Lisichansk. Ukrainian troops are almost completely surrounded in northern Donetsk. Although western analysts believe that Ukraine is more likely to defend the higher-lying Lisichansk, "there are already disturbing signs that Russia is trying to cut off the supply line of the city by advancing from the southeast." Zelensky said last week that the competition between the two cities "largely determines the fate of Donbass".
The Russian military announced that at 8: 00 local time on the 15th, it would open a humanitarian evacuation passage for civilians in the Yazott factory in North Donetsk, and at the same time demanded that the Ukrainian army in North Donetsk "stop meaningless resistance and lay down their weapons". Britain’s Independent newspaper said on 15th that the final stage of the contest in North Donetsk seems to be similar to that in upor, Mali last month. At present, Russian troops have occupied about 80% of Northton, and most Ukrainian troops have been forced to the suburbs.
The website of "Russia Today" TV station reported on the 15th that on the evening of 14th, Ukrainian President Zelensky said through social media that Ukrainian troops suffered heavy losses in the fighting near North Donetsk and Kharkov. According to the French newspaper Le Monde reported on the 15th, Ukrainian officials said that the firepower of the Russian army is still far superior to that of the Ukrainian army. Now, 100 to 200 Ukrainian soldiers are killed every day because of the "complete inequality between the two armies".
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Konashenkov announced on the 15th that the Russian fleet destroyed an ammunition depot containing foreign weapons such as M777 howitzers made in the United States with "caliber" cruise missiles.
Macron: Russia will always be in Europe.
French President Macron began to visit Ukraine’s two eastern neighbors on the 14th — — The visits of Romania and Moldova have aroused widespread concern. According to Reuters, the French president had been criticized by Ukraine and some NATO countries, and he was considered as "ambiguous" in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
On the evening of 14th, Macron arrived in the Romanian Black Sea port city of constanta and visited the French soldiers stationed there. He said: "It is the pride of France that stands at the forefront (on the eastern border of NATO)!"
About 800 NATO troops are stationed at this base along the Black Sea, including 500 French soldiers and soldiers from other NATO countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium. France has also deployed a surface-to-air missile system here. According to reports from Reuters, on 15th, Macron tried to take a tougher stance towards Russia when he made a speech at this NATO military base. He said: "We will make every effort to stop Russian war troops and help Ukrainians and their troops." But he did not provide any details. He expressed "hope that Ukraine will win the war" and insisted that Ukraine must negotiate with Russia eventually. "We share a continent. Geography is always a thorny issue, and Russia is one of them. It was here yesterday (Europe), here today and here tomorrow. "
Later on the 15th local time, Mark Long will fly to Moldova, which is the first time that the French President has visited the former Soviet Republic adjacent to Ukraine since 1998. According to sources, on the 16th, Macron will travel to Kiev to visit Ukraine with German Chancellor Angela Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Peace or non-peace?
The New York Times said on the 15th that when the leaders of France, Germany and Italy plan to pay their first joint visit to Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, they and other western leaders must decide whether to increase their armed forces against Ukraine or pressure Ukraine to negotiate with Moscow to end the conflict. Western leaders seem to agree that Ukraine’s ability to counterattack Russia depends largely on the speed and quantity of heavy weapons they provide to Ukraine. But they are also worried that the continuation will lead to the intervention of NATO countries and lead to a cruel escalation of the situation. European officials are also worried about the damage to their economies caused by inflation and high energy prices, as well as the possible political backlash at home.
According to the "Russia Today" TV station reported on the 15th, some officials in the United States expressed concern about the situation in Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at a congressional hearing, US Deputy Treasury Secretary Ardeyeh Mo expressed concern that sanctions against Russia were "overused". He said that only the United States "imposed 1,000 sanctions on Russian institutions and individuals" after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The New York Times summed up the current situation in Russia and Ukraine in five sentences on the 15th — — The Russians are running out of precision guided weapons; Ukrainians are running out of Soviet ammunition; The world has lost patience with this conflict; Biden’s government is at its wit’s end; And China is watching the progress of the situation.
"Peace or peace? Ukraine is at a crossroads. " The US National Interest magazine said on the 15th that since Russia changed its offensive strategy, the conflict has entered a certain deadlock, and Russia has made steady progress in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks. "It is estimated that Russia has captured about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, while some politicians in the West have begun to question the danger of long-term conflict in Eastern Europe." "National Interest" magazine said that the high cost and risk of protracted conflict should prompt Kiev to at least reconsider the prospect of peace talks with Russia. "Continuing the conflict will push up the cost, and even if Ukraine wins, it will hinder its development."