Ukraine Vows To Recapture All Territory From Russia As It Urges West To Step Up Weapons Supply

Topline

Ukrainian officials on Tuesday said they intend to recapture all of the country’s territories that are currently under Russian occupation following a string of major military successes in the Kharkiv region—while also urging the West to step up military aid.

Ukrainian military vehicles move on the road in the freed territory of the Kharkiv region, Ukraine.

Key Facts

Speaking to Reuters, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said the military’s aim is to liberate the entire Kharkiv province first and then “all the territories occupied by the Russian Federation.”

In his daily video address on Monday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed his colleagues and urged the West to speed up delivery of weapons—especially air defense systems to protect against Russian rocket attacks.

Emboldened by their recent successes in the Kharkiv offensive, Ukrainian leaders and their supporters contend that arming Ukraine will ensure its victory and help end the war faster.

According to the New York Times, Ukraine has managed to recapture 3,400 square miles of territory in the past week, which is more than Russia gained in the past five months of fighting.

News Peg

As Ukrainian forces advance, they are also stepping up psychological warfare efforts by firing shells stuffed with flyers into occupied territories urging Russian troops to surrender. According to the Associated Press, the flyers read: “Russians use you as cannon fodder. Your life doesn’t mean anything for them. You don’t need this war. Surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Crucial Quote

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba once again criticized the German government for its apparent reticence in sending more offensive weapons. He tweeted: “Disappointing signals from Germany while Ukraine needs Leopards and Marders now — to liberate people and save them from genocide. Not a single rational argument on why these weapons can not be supplied, only abstract fears and excuses. What is Berlin afraid of that Kyiv is not?” Kuleba met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock during the weekend and called for the supply of more heavy weapons.

Key Background

In a lightning offensive that began last week, Ukrainian forces have managed to recapture most of the Kharkiv province in the country’s northeast, in what is their most significant strategic victory on the battlefield in several months. Caught off guard by Ukraine’s blitzkrieg, Russian forces have been forced to flee their positions, leaving behind large caches of weapons, ammunition and armored vehicles—among other things. The biggest loss for Russia on the Kharkiv front has been the city of Izyum, which had become a key logistics and supply hub for its forces in the east.

Tangent

The scale of Russia’s recent losses appears to have shaken its people’s confidence in the war and even the Kremlin leadership. The cracks are showing up on the country’s tightly controlled news media where there is growing talk of peace negotiations and criticism of the military operation in news debates. On Monday, municipal deputies from 17 districts in Moscow and St. Petersburg signed a letter demanding Russian President Vladimir Putins’ resignation. The Kremlin has not taken to the criticism of Putin kindly, with his top spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, warning on Tuesday that there is a thin line between “legally criticizing Russia’s military campaign” and breaking Russia’s censorship laws on invasion which could lead to 15 year prison sentences.