The war in Ukraine: – “Changing the rules of the game”

Since the early days of the invasion, Western countries have worked harder with their support for Ukraine, and recently several major powers have loudly cried that arms support should be more extensive and heavier.

– If you look at the whole picture, there has been tremendous support for Ukraine. So it is a game changer in itself. Now we see that heavy weapons, artillery and guns are being given, which will have a good effect on the battlefield, says Brigadier General Estin Kfarving, Head of Communications for the Chief of Defense, to Dagbladet TV.

– Great help

It also relies on last night’s news from The New York Times, which was reported by two senior US officials that the United States provided intelligence that helped Ukraine kill several Russian generals.

– Now I will not think about it, but if it is true that the United States shared important intelligence with Ukraine, as the international media wrote, it is also a kind of “game changer”, and with the great help of the Ukrainian authorities and the military, it is believed suffocation.

Important signal

Recently, Ukrainian forces have also shown that they are able to reclaim territory. Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city, in northeastern Ukraine, was previously under Russian control, but is now back in Ukrainian hands.

Ukraine also carried out a successful counterattack in the area, which pushed the Russian forces back tens of kilometers into the area.

– In general, it is important for Ukraine to return the Russians everywhere. I would be hesitant to speculate on Ukraine’s strategy and President Zelensky to find a way out of this, but I think the most important thing is that they both appear to be able to defeat Russia. That’s an important signal in and of itself, Kfarving says.

– Just the tip of the iceberg

Don’t be afraid of nuclear war

He also comments on Russia’s persistent nuclear threats to the West, which he sees as political signals.

– These are harsh words from Russia, not necessarily followed by actions.

He stressed that this is not the first time that Russia has made such threats.

– I see it as a signal, to remind the world that Russia is a nuclear power.

Russia’s nuclear arsenal includes ICBMs with nuclear warheads that can reach the United States, for example.

— but also more tactical nuclear weapons, which can wreak havoc, says Kfarving.

He remembers Putin getting upset with nuclear weapons, and increased preparedness, early on in the war, without seeming to get much more than a reminder.

– I’m not afraid of a nuclear war, and I think no one in Norway should worry about it now, says Kfarving.

Putin’s new army

– No immediate effect

At the same time as Russia faces opposition in ever new areas of Ukraine, there is high tension over what President Vladimir Putin will do next Monday, when victory over Nazi Germany in World War II will be so explosive.

– There is speculation in the extreme. That is, whether he is using today to refer to Russia’s victory, or whether he wants to say “we’re on the move” and hit the fill button. Putin did not put all of Russia at war, nor did he muster all the forces.

Kvarving believes that if Putin were to decide on the latter option, it would have little immediate impact on Russia’s war in Ukraine.

It might give them more combat power in an estimated three to eight months, but it wouldn’t have any immediate impact on the ground in Ukraine.

Kfarving answers whether the signal would give her such an announcement.

– It will be shown that he intends to continue this war, and the reactions may be, for example, more sanctions. I want to believe that the West will not let things go and intend to stand by Ukraine.