The Russian military operation in Ukraine continues as the Russian army seeks to expand its control over Ukrainian territories, while Kyiv's forces persist in their resistance, supported by military and logistical aid from the West. The British Ministry of Defence reported that the Russian offensive on Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine has significantly stalled, indicating that Ukrainian forces have incurred substantial losses in their defense of Bakhmut.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg, citing Western officials, revealed Russia’s readiness for a new mobilization that will include 400,000 recruits to join the fight in Ukraine. Bloomberg added that Moscow will rely on retirees and volunteers for this new mobilization, clarifying that military conscription in Russia will be contract-based rather than mandatory.
The Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian army noted that the battle for Bakhmut has begun to calm, while the commander of the infantry stated that Russian forces have "become exhausted" near Bakhmut. In conjunction, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that Kyiv is currently unable to launch a counteroffensive due to a shortage of weapons. In an interview with the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, Zelensky said, "We cannot yet start the counteroffensive. We cannot send our brave soldiers to the front lines without tanks, artillery, and American Himars rocket launchers."
Zelensky also emphasized a significant shortage of ammunition and pointed out that the Kyiv authorities are awaiting supplies from partners. The Japanese newspaper noted that the interview with Zelensky took place on a train as he was heading to Kyiv after visiting the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Kherson region.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Friday that after listening to Zelensky via video link, European Union leaders assured the Ukrainian president that they would assist Kyiv in achieving victory in the conflict against Russia, which commenced its military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The day before, EU leaders supported a plan to expedite the transfer of ammunition to Ukraine, as well as joint procurement of artillery shells and the development of Europe’s military production capabilities.
On the ground, Russian forces attacked the northern and southern parts of the front line in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine on Friday, continuing their assaults despite Kyiv's assurances of a slowdown in Moscow's pressure near the city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian military reports described intense fighting in the northern sector of the front line extending from Lyman to Kupiansk, as well as in the south around Avdiivka on the outskirts of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk. Both areas are among the primary Russian targets in their winter offensives to gain full control over Ukraine's industrial Donbas region. Thus far, the Russian attacks have resulted in minimal gains despite thousands of soldiers from both sides being killed in the bloodiest battle of the war.
Additionally, on Friday, the United Nations accused both Ukrainian and Russian forces of carrying out dozens of extrajudicial killings of prisoners of war during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The head of the UN Monitoring Mission for Human Rights in Ukraine, Matilda Bogner, expressed significant concern over the execution of "25 Russian prisoners of war" by Ukrainian armed forces, as well as "15 Ukrainian prisoners of war" executed by Russian forces. The UN report documented executions of prisoners by both sides following their capture on the battlefield.
