Delays in Western assistance to Ukraine contribute to Russia's offensive operations on several fronts — ISW

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shared the information in the recent report.

According to analysts, Russian troops are currently conducting at least three offensive operations:

• along the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, in particular in the direction of Kupyansk and Lyman;
• in and around Avdiivka;
• near Robotyne, in the western part of the Zaporizhzhia region. 

After the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka and Russia’s subsequent claims of taking control of the entire city, ISW experts and several Ukrainian and Western sources assessed that delays in Western security assistance, namely artillery ammunition and critical air defense systems, prevented Ukrainian troops from defending themselves against the Russian offensive in Avdiivka. 

"Critical Ukrainian shortages in Western-provided equipment and fears of the complete cessation of US military aid have forced Ukrainian troops to husband materiel along the entire front, which has likely encouraged Russian forces to exploit the situation and launch limited offensive operations outside of the Avdiivka area," the report says.

According to the analysts, these Russian offensives are likely to prevent Ukrainian forces from preparing personnel and equipment to resume counteroffensive operations. Ukraine will suffer if it simply digs in and tries to defend itself until the end of 2024, as some Western powers and analysts advocate.

• On the evening of February 18, reports stated that Russian troops had a small tactical success in advancing on the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region.