Brutal fight continues in Ukraine

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 305th Air Mobility Wing, and its associate reserve unit the 514th Air Mobility Wing, based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, practices flying a resupply mission with a low-level ingress into a hostile location while responding to simulated surface to air missiles fired by an enemy at Bollen Range on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 22, 2002. The crew of the C-17 included two 111th Attack Wing personnel, who assisted in integrating MQ-9 support including real time intelligence updates and armed over watch, in addition to identification and clearance of any threats present during the mission. The C-17 also practiced performing defensive maneuvers that included dispensing flares. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Jon Dahms)

Fighting Remains Tough in Ukraine
Jan. 9, 2023 | By Jim Garamone
Although the lines of battle between Russian invaders and Ukrainian defenders have not shifted much, fighting in the Donbas region has been savage according to a top military official stated this morning.

The conflict in the Bakhmut sector of the Donetsk region has destroyed the area with tens of thousands of artillery fireballs hitting across the region.

The Russians are pushing against the Ukrainian military , in an attempt to drive them back from that region. The news reports in the region indicate that many civilians are fleeing the area.

The region is one place within Ukraine that Russia is pushing. “What I would say is that in terms of how the battlefield looks, not significant adjustments to the battlefield, quite honestly, over the last couple of weeks,” the official in the military said.

There are three Russian, Kalibr cruise missile-capable vessels operating in the Black Sea, and the airspace over Ukraine is still in dispute.

The official stated that Ukrainians have made great strides in combining air defense capabilities that come from a range of nations to build an air defense system that is integrated. Officials noted last week that the system destroyed any unmanned aerial vehicle aimed to attack Kyiv.

The official also spoke of the momentum behind world-wide donor countries. In the United States will provide Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine. Germany as well as France will also provide armored vehicles. In addition, the Netherlands and the U. S. are upgrading T-72 tanks.

Additionally, as well, U.S. and other partner nations will train Ukrainian teams in joint arms operations. “What it really does is it demonstrates this continued commitment by NATO,” the official said, adding that the action is proof that their commitment to assist Ukraine remains unwavering.

“That equipment is one thing, using the equipment is another,” he said. “So, you’ve seen, you’ve seen again many of our allies, but, you know, step forward to offer some additional collective training as it relates to the use of that equipment. This gives Ukrainians an opportunity to continue to work on what they’ve been doing over the past 10 years — adjusting the way they fight to a more of a combined arms effort.”