Hans Petter Midttun

Besides Russia, ignorance of Ukraine's plight in the West also threatens its survival

Ukraine is creating the conditions for a decisive breakthrough on the ground and has the initiative at sea, but Russian air strikes are a reason for growing concern, as is the West's resolve to support Ukraine.

Ukraine has repeatedly proved that Russian "red lines" are a fiction. Now it's finally time for the West to call out Putin's nuclear bluff.

Once the bedrock of European defense, NATO now confronts doubts about its future purpose and relevance after years of under-investment left it unready against Russian aggression.

While Russia still has the advantage, Ukraine is little by little gaining the initiative in maritime, air, and land warfare. And it has not yet peaked.

We've been there in WWII. The only way to achieve peace is to fight for it.

Ukraine suffered a major diplomatic defeat as Western weakness allowed the G20 to adopt a declaration failing to assign clear blame for Russia's devastating war

Russia not fully blocking Black Sea but uses tricks to control shipping lanes and create appearance of control. Ukraine needs more reserves to break through Russian lines according to Estonian intelligence.

American intelligence sees a "realistic possibility" Ukraine can break through the rest of Russia's lines in the south in 2023. Russian trade volumes have returned to pre-war levels. Ukrainian forces made further gains near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Armenia has reportedly provided its first aid to Ukraine since the war began. Over 7 million artillery shells and body armor have been procured or received since the invasion began. Romania denies Russian drones reached its territory.

Ukraine is poised to quicken the pace of its advance in the south after conclusively penetrating Russia's first main line of defense, which the Kremlin had devoted most of its engineering efforts towards fortifying. Russian forces are now reduced to defensive "patches" amid dwindling reserves, but progress remains grueling for Ukrainian troops facing dense minefields.

Daily report day 556 – 2 September 2023 According to information from the General Staff as of 06.00…

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