Russian strikes continue in the region as we enter the 20th day of the war that broke out with Russia's invasion of Ukrainian territory. Kiev is still in the hands of the Ukrainians. Russia has a clear military advantage, but the Ukrainian capital has not 'fallen' to date.
Ukrainians, soldiers, civilians and volunteers, as well as foreigners who have answered the country's call for help, have been putting up fierce resistance for days. But as Russian attacks concentrate in this area, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Ukrainians to fight.
The strikes have shattered buildings, killing, displacing and wounding dozens of civilians, but some parts of the city remain unscathed. Other towns have been "flattened" by the Russian army's attacks, and residents of the capital are apparently worried that something similar is expected to happen in their town.
On Kiev's side are the swamps and rivers
The generals in charge of defending Kiev against Russian attacks explain that the Ukrainian army is fighting hard to keep Russia's artillery out of attack range so that it cannot be adequately utilized. But they admit that the capital is vulnerable to missile strikes.
BBC map showing Russian advances and attacks on Kiev[BR]
The Ukrainians, however, as these country's generals explain to the BBC, have the topography of the region on their side. The city of Kiev is large and divided into two parts by the Dnieper River and its tributaries.
The size of the city makes defending it a difficult task, says General Andriy Kryschenko, but at the same time gives Ukrainian fighters an advantage. Rivers and bridges located in Kiev are fortified by the soldiers, while swamps do not allow the deployment and movement of large army units.
Ukrainians are utilizing Kiev's factories and blowing up bridges
Kiev's industrial nature also gives it an advantage, the general explains, as the numerous factories and workshops located in the city have now taken on a new purpose: producing equipment needed for fortification, with concrete blocks, sandbags and obstacles for tanks.
As Ukrainian General Knyazev tells the BBC, the Russian advance has been halted by strategically planned explosions on bridges in the area. Troops cannot cross the marshlands as easily and so their progress is being significantly delayed. Also, if Russian troops do eventually attempt to move into the marshes, the Ukrainians are in a fighting position and expect to defend these points.
The defense of the city continues and has surprised enemies and allies of Ukraine, but we have not seen any large-scale attacks on the Ukrainian capital so far.
Source: iefimerida.gr
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
