Russian losses on multiple fronts

The Armed Forces of Ukraine had one task in these first days of combat: to withstand the onslaught of a powerful enemy. While Russian troops far outnumber Ukrainians, the defensive forces operated without hesitation. And after four days of intense fighting, these are reports coming in from the field, according to Ukraine’s military sources:

· Two IL-76s shot down by paratroopers of the Russian Armed Forces are a powerful blow to Russia.

· On the afternoon of February 26, some 20 units of Russian troops were destroyed in the northern Chernihiv region. It caused the loss not only of equipment but also a significant number of personnel.

· On Saturday, the Ukrainian Air Force managed to shoot down a modern Russian Su-30 fighter in the Black Sea .

· TSN reported that in Gostomel, a city just outside Kyiv, the Ukrainian Armed Forces defeated a column of elite Russian special forces. The Ukrainian fighters undertook further clearing of the territory from the enemy, during which a key commander of the Russian Rosguard was killed.

These are isolated episodes, but when such stories come in from all corners of Ukraine, the belief in the power of the army grows significantly and creates confidence among an entire nation.

Counting the enemy losses

Still, by Sunday night, Ukraine reported significant overall losses for Russian forces: 27 planes, 26 helicopters, 150 tanks and 4,500 men: these are the registered losses incurred by Russian Armed Forces, . This is no small feat on the part of the Ukrainians, who, in comparison, have reportedly counted 198 deaths.

The Ukrainian General Staff commented that "the enemy's troops are demoralized, they are running out of fuel and food. The enemy is suffering significant losses."

Of course, we should not exaggerate when it comes to a war like this, particularly when it involves a powerful military machine such as Russia. However, the first signs of problems in the Russian forces are beginning to show. And the introduction of reserves suggests that the Russian army may be beginning to lose motivation and confidence.

Such fierce resistance was not anticipated by Moscow. But problems for the Russians do not stop there. Some logistical issues are already beginning to appear: a shortage of ammunition, fuel and lubricants, and even food.

Help from the EU and Turkey

Aside from the main battle occurring on Ukrainian soil, another blow to Russia came from the EU. Not only have European countries made a unilateral move to ban Russian flights from its airspace, but perhaps the most surprising decision came from Turkey, which banned Russian warships from entering the Black Sea.

This is a significant sign that can be attributed to the growth of consolidation within NATO (despite the fact that the decision was implemented at the behest of the Ukrainian government). But the move shows that even Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, once a keen friend and partner of Vladimir Putin , is turning his back on the decision made by his Russian counterpart.

Civilians at risk, Putin raises stakes

However, as the Russian occupation army begins spreading out across Ukraine, the danger to civilians is growing: a missile hit a high-rise building in Kyiv and a village was shot down by rocket launchers near Kherson.

Russian Armed Forces are no longer keeping their promise of avoiding civilians but are now prepared to take any action, including attacking civilians. For now, they will continue, by any means necessary, to sow panic as well as destroy communication, optimism and hope.

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the comedian who once made people laugh, picks up the gauntlet and becomes the man leading a resistance against Russia, the Ukrainian people, who have swapped pens and keyboards for guns and missiles, are showing belief in him and their country. But their defiance has angered an already vilified Putin, who, on Sunday evening, ordered his nuclear deterrent forces be put on alert, raising the stakes once again. His grip is tightening. Just how strong this grip is, only time will tell.