Russian Foreign Minister "Entering a New Phase"
Similar Troop Numbers in the Plain Battle... Firepower Is Key
Biden "Will Send More Cannons"... Indicates Support for Heavy Weapons
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In response to Russia's offensive in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine, the United States and other Western countries held a meeting to discuss countermeasures and pledged rapid weapons support to Ukraine. Russia officially stated that its invasion of Ukraine has entered a new phase. A full-scale artillery battle between Russia and Ukraine is expected to unfold.
On the 19th (local time), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indian media outlet India Today, "A new phase of the special operation in Ukraine is beginning. This operation will complete the liberation of Donetsk and Luhansk," emphasizing, "At this stage, only conventional weapons will be used." This statement draws a line against the possibility of deploying tactical nuclear weapons raised by some and is interpreted as a forecast of a large-scale conventional artillery battle centered on the Donbas region.
Russia is reported to have launched a large-scale offensive led by mercenary units with combat experience in the Middle East and Africa. According to the British newspaper The Times, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian mercenary company Wagner Group, has arrived in the Donbas region. The main Russian forces gathered in the Donbas area are estimated to number about 50,000.
According to CNN, Ukrainian forces opposing the Russian army number between 30,000 and 40,000, not significantly different from the Russian forces. Unlike the urban battle in Kyiv, the Donbas battle is expected to take place on plains. Therefore, the outcome between Ukraine and Russia is anticipated to be determined by firepower, such as the number of heavy weapons possessed.
The West has pledged rapid weapons support to Ukraine. On the same day, U.S. President Joe Biden held an emergency video conference with leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) major countries?France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Japan?to discuss security support for Ukraine and additional sanctions against Russia.
After the video conference, President Biden visited New Hampshire and, in a press conference, responded "Yes" when asked if more artillery would be sent to Ukraine. The U.S. government is reportedly planning additional weapons support following the previous $800 million (approximately 991.6 billion KRW) worth of aid sent to Ukraine.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated in a briefing that "the leaders pledged to continue providing security, economic, and humanitarian support to Ukraine," adding, "They also discussed Western efforts to impose severe economic costs on Russia to hold it accountable."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at a press conference after the meeting, emphasized, "Weapons support for Ukraine must be provided without delay," adding, "I asked the German defense industry what weapons can be supplied in the near future, and Ukraine selected the necessary weapons from the available list. We will provide the required funds."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
