On Monday, Sweden’s ruling social democrats party opted for NATO membership.
Following in Finland’s footsteps, Sweden abandoned decades of neutrality in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Putin’s “Serious Consequences” threat has bolstered many formerly neutral European countries resolve to join NATO.
Both US and NATO are confident that both Sweden and Finland will be granted NATO membership,
With the mobilization of economic restraints on Russian Oligarchs and other Russian assets in World Bank’s, Russia is undergoing an economic recession.
With empty shelves becoming a common sight in major Russian cities, Putin may face a blowback from the public soon.
NATO’s general secretary, Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement that Russia has lost at least a third of the ground forces, it had deployed in Ukraine since February.
NATO’s general secretary Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference last week. Photo Source : Reuters
Stoltenberg also added that Russia has fallen “Significantly behind schedule” and the harsh defense mounted
Ukraine in Donbas region, was unexpected by Kremlins predictions.
Russian advance halted.
In the city of Izium, Ukrainian forces faced a counteroffensive from Russian army on Monday.
The city of Izium in ruins after Russian missile attack on Monday morning. Photo Source : The Guardian.
According to reports, Russia fired missiles into the city of Izium, upon receiving reports of Ukrainians defenders holed up in the city.
Russia’s war efforts in the Donbas region has faced multiple military and diplomatic obstacles.
Despite consistent attempts by Russia to break through the frontlines, Ukraine’s ground forces have stood their ground.
According to reports an Ukrainian unit posted near Luhansk region, successfully thwarted as many as 17 breakthrough attempts in one day.
As the battle rages on, Ukrainians focus on destroying military hardware deployed by Russia, near the fronts.
With mounting casualties, Russian forces tactical capabilities have been reduced significantly.
On the other hand, Ukraine has received an enormous amount of military aid and hardware that has proved useful to halt Russian advances.
With the new found military hardware’s, Ukrainian forces have begun to counter-assault on Russian held territories.
Briefly pushing Russian invaders out of the Kharkiv region on Sunday.
New Military hardware.
According to US embassy in Kiev, Ukraine has deployed the new US M-777 Howitzer’s at the front, that has significantly increased artillery capabilities of Ukrainian forces.
The new M-777 Howitzer’s use 155 mm rounds, effective against the reactive Armor of Russian Vehicles and tanks. Photo Source : NBC news.
Washington has delivered large contingents of latest state of the art weapons, to help Ukraine defend its national integrity.
These weapons along with the necessary training have successfully upgraded Ukrainian troops capabilities to function as a conventional army like Russia’s.
US lawmakers are set to push forward appeals to send more weapons into Ukraine, as requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Until now, US has been the loudest opponent for Russia, Apart from NATO.
It is due to America’s promises and pursuance, that many formerly Neutral European countries have opted for a NATO membership.
Russia entangled in Ukraine war.
Moscow has faced many hurdles in executing it’s plans since the beginning of the conflict.
Ukraine’s guerilla attack tactics had forced Russia to reverse the military column enroute to Kiev and regroup for a fresh offensive on the eastern provinces of the country.
A Russian tank with reactive Armor enroute to the frontlines in Donetsk, 15th May 2022 Photo Source : Reuters.
In mid-April Russia had recognized the independence of self proclaimed peoples republic of Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbas region while commencing it’s attack.
But even on the Eastern front, Russia is failing to make significant progress.
The way in which, Russian forces have been struggling to tackle Ukrainian counter-assault’s, it seems Putin’s vow to “denazify” Ukraine is far from being accomplished.
As the war spill’s out of previous estimates, many experts say that there is an elevated chance that Ukraine will emerge victorious at the end of the war.
Conclusion.
As Putin’s war becomes more aggressive and unpredictable, many neighboring countries have started to opt for NATO membership, to enhance their national security interests.
United States constant advocacy for protection of Ukraine, has seen many countries extend a helping hand to Kiev.
Ukrainian troops received an additional morale boost from the country’s win in the Eurovision song contest on the Sunday.
With many believing it to be a sign of battlefield victories to come.
An Ukrainian soldier named Vitaliy, bunkered down north of Kyiv said “We have shown that we can not only fight, but we can also sing very well”.
