According to an open statement made by a Ukrainian soldier stationed on the Dnipro river’s east bank, the situation for Ukrainian forces is “deplorable.” After bold incursions into enemy territory in the autumn of last year, Ukrainian forces created a precarious bridgehead in the southern area of Kherson; nevertheless, they are losing ground on the Dnipro foothold close to the settlement of Krynky.
The transportation of heavier weapons has been hampered by logistical issues, which have hurt the Ukrainian forces, who are suffering significant casualties. According to reports, Russian forces have retaken areas on the eastern bank of the Dnipro in recent weeks. The Russians are said to outnumber Ukrainian soldiers by a minimum of four to five.
With the approaching second anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine is putting an end to its aspirations for an immediate triumph and adopting a defensive stance. Early in December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proclaimed a “new phase” and gave the order to build additional fortifications along the 1,000-kilometer front line.
Despite the fact that the White House:

The military of Ukraine is currently adopting a “active defence” policy, maintaining defensive positions while looking for vulnerabilities and making use of long-range airstrikes. But a major obstacle is the lack of certainty about western military support, especially from the US. Concerns have been raised by the White House’s complete withdrawal of weaponry and military hardware on December 27, while right-wing Republicans in Congress are stalling further military aid to Ukraine.
Experts like Fiona Hill stress the importance of outside assistance, and the Ukrainian government urgently needs air defences given the recent strikes on vital infrastructure. The urgency is increased by the prospect of Russia’s missile arsenal, which is meant to obliterate Ukraine.
The emphasis has moved from offensive to defensive strategies due to the sharp contrast with Ukraine’s apparent superiority in the early months of 2023. The severity of the situation is reflected in Zelenskyy’s request, made during his December visit to Washington, for $60 billion in further military support.
However, it is Russia’s:

In order to give itself time to develop its industrial capability and get ready for a possible counteroffensive in 2025, the Estonian defence ministry recommends that Ukraine adopt a “strategic defence” approach. But worries about the possible drawbacks of adopting only a defensive tactic continue, with some cautioning against giving the upper hand to Russia.
With proposals to conscript 500,000 more soldiers, Ukraine is facing a mobilisation problem as the country struggles to contain the war, which is now in its third year. More worries are raised by the prospect of a major Russian offensive in the upcoming summer, and the situation becomes more complicated due to the unpredictability of outside assistance.
The current military standoff may work to Moscow’s advantage as both sides prepare for a hard winter; Putin is counting on depleting Western backing for Ukraine. The next few months will be crucial in assessing Ukraine’s capacity to overcome the difficulties and get ready for what lies ahead.
