Kiev / Moscow - The
NATO has its military assessment of the situation in the
eastern Ukraine fundamentally changed. A week ago, the strategists of the Alliance assumed that Russia has strengthened the separatists with covert troops only because the pro-Russian rebels had to retreat under pressure of the Ukrainian army.
When the generals of the alliance but then late last week to a crisis meeting on the situation of the army of the Ukrainian President
Petro Poroshenko came together, they painted a grim picture. "Militarily, the conflict for Kiev is already lost," stated a senior NATO general. Poroshenko, the judgment, were "really only talks to withdraw his men alive from the pliers of the Russians".
The location descriptions behind closed doors were far more dramatic than the few images that NATO published mid-week. On large maps were marked with thick arrows Russian units, which now from the north, the west and the south on the border of eastern Ukraine are at least 20 battalions with a minimum of 500 men and heavy guns are the scouts of NATO.
Of particular concern was the NATO military the new front in the south near the city of Mariupol. Moscow could use the troops to liberate a land connection to the Crimea - and so consolidate the illegal annexation of the peninsula. In addition, having
Ukraine in fact completely lost control of their own eastern border.
On the other side of the border, the situation is not much better. Thus, the Ukrainian units encircled by separatists and Russian soldiers with heavy artillery, as well as no more freedom of movement.
Great success in early August - then the setbacks
Kiev had achieved massive military successes in the first week of August and the cities of
Donetsk and Luhansk almost included. In Kiev, many hoped for a quick victory. Russia thus strengthened its military support.An offensive by the pro-Russian fighter threw Kiev military far behind.
Since it is a setback after another for Kiev. On Monday, Ukrainian units moved
back to heavy fire from the Lugansk airport . After Ukrainian details a Russian tank battalion was involved in the taking. For the first time the separatists thus control an airport. In Kiev the growing fear that Moscow could now support the rebels with fighter planes.
In the south end of the last week of the border town Nowoasowsk fell into the hands of pro-Russian fighters. The units could reach Mariupol rapidly, it is the last major city in the region, Kiev still controlled.
Heavy casualties, many prisoners
Several Ukrainian units were surrounded. Fighters of the volunteer battalions "Azov" and "Dnepr" stuck after heavy fighting firmly near the small town Ilowaisk. We are talking about more than 100 wounded and several hundred prisoners. Only a few members of the force to leave the boiler succeeded. Because of all the failures Poroshenko would occupy leading posts in the army now new, reported the news agency dpa.
From the perspective of NATO strategists therefore an invasion with more Russian forces not necessary. A new turn to Kiev favor close them out. The already infiltrated units are to consider. "Poroshenko dictated where he can move towards his men," said the NATO-man, "in the war it is called a victory."