The battle for Donbas: ‘the real test of this war’

The Financial Times article portrays the battle for Donbas as a crucial phase in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, where Russian forces are engaging in intense warfare after regrouping from setbacks in their initial invasion strategy. Kreminna's capture illustrates a shift to conventional warfare and might indicate a more methodical approach by Russia. The fate of Donbas is seen as potentially decisive for Ukraine's future, with Russian objectives including the establishment of a land corridor to Crimea and leveraging control for peace negotiations. Ukrainian forces, described as resilient and battle-hardened, face challenges such as resource depletion and the need for Western military support. The article also suggests that the outcome in Donbas could influence Russia's ability to claim victory, especially with the symbolic date of May 9th approaching, when Russia commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany. The broader context includes Russia's aim to undermine Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and to reassert regional hegemony.