Forbes: Syria Puts Putin In An Awkward Position

The Russian military is locked in the bases.

The Russian tank division is approaching Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, but it may seem weaker than it is.

Forbes military columnist David Axe writes about this, pointing out that Russia seeks to completely seize the Donbas, which is rich in coal. After the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops occupied 2/3 of the region and "the immediate prospects of full occupation are vague."

On the way, the occupation troops have the fortress city of Pokrovsk and a chain of cities along the line from Kostiantinivka to Sloviansk. Forbes notes that, according to the forecast of the Center for Defence Strategies, by the end of 2024, Putin's army will not be able to seize the "belt of fortresses" — Kostiantinivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. But this, writes Forbes, does not mean that the Russians are not advancing. So, recently, the occupiers from the 90th Tank Division advanced through the village of Zhovte to Novopustynka. According to experts, the Russians will try to surround and cut off Pokrovsk, and not attack it directly.

Experts are sure that the enemy will not attack Pokrovsk head-on, but will try to take it from the flanks. However, it remains questionable whether the occupiers will have enough resources. According to David Axe, the Russians are busy fighting the Ukrainian invasion of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, suffer horrific losses, and have little reserves around Pokrovsk. They supported their offensive in this direction not by reinforcements, but by regrouping immutable forces. The Center for Defence Strategies suggests that the upcoming battle for Pokrovsk will be the culmination of the offensive operation of Russian troops in 2024.

At the same time, Moscow's troops continue to suffer losses that they do not have time to replenish. Stocks of modern tanks and armored vehicles are running out. Meanwhile, the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria “locked up thousands of Russian troops and a significant amount of military equipment at bases along the Syrian coast and embarrassed Putin just as he was about to demonstrate strength and confidence to troops preparing to attack Pokrovsk.”

The year 2025 may radically change the policy of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Forbes writes. US President-elect Donald Trump will announce the creation of a new “chaotic and unpredictable” administration that could cut US aid to Ukraine, Germany will hold federal elections, France may also get a new government. Political changes can harm Ukraine and help Russia, and vice versa.

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