Putin Risks Huge Troop Losses to Occupy One Ukrainian Region, Analyst Warns
Fierce fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces are attempting to capture the city of Prokovsk. Now largely reduced to rubble, Prokovsk is a vital logistics center in Donetsk Oblast and is considered a "gateway" to other Ukrainian-held cities in the region. This city is part of the broader Donbas area, which includes both Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.
Significance of the Donbas Region in Negotiations
The Donbas region remains a major point of contention in ceasefire talks. According to Reuters, the Kremlin demands full control of Donbas, while Ukraine firmly rejects this. Currently, Russia holds all of Luhansk Oblast and approximately 75% of Donetsk Oblast. On paper, Russia might seem close to fully seizing the entire region it desperately seeks.
Potential Human Cost of Full Control
However, securing complete control over Donbas could come with devastating losses. Professor Michael Clarke told Sky News that Moscow would likely face massive additional casualties to capture all of Donetsk and Luhansk. He noted Russian forces have already suffered over a million dead and seriously wounded since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
"Russian forces have already suffered more than a million dead and seriously wounded since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, and taking the remaining Donbas would require another large number of sacrifices."
The ongoing conflict shows that Moscow's strategic ambitions might demand an enormous human toll to achieve territorial gains in eastern Ukraine.
Author's summary: The fight for full control of Donbas could cause Russia to endure millions more casualties, raising serious questions about the high human costs behind its regional ambitions.