Bakhmut, the midsize Ukrainian city that used to have a population of 80,000, is now reportedly in Russian hands after a bloody nine-month military operation that turned the area into a wasteland. But regardless of who controls Bakhmut, the war will go on for the foreseeable future — the U.S. intelligence community assesses the fighting will progress well into 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of course, knows all of this and is preparing for a long conflict. The comic-turned-wartime commander in chief has devoted the last week overseas, traveling to several countries to ensure Kyiv’s backers in the West remain committed to providing the military and economic support his army needs for the war.
His tour through Europe last week was a resounding success on that front. After visiting Germany, France and the U.K., Zelenskyy came away with concrete packages of additional military aid from each. French President Emmanuel Macron promised to supply dozens of light tanks and armored vehicles. The Germans approved $3 billion worth of infantry fighting vehicles, tanks and air defense systems. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak greenlit the transfer of missiles that have a range of 150 miles, putting Russia’s supply lines at greater risk.
