The Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka is falling rather quickly, with Russian troops securing much of the residential south. Ukrainian forces have largely withdrawn to the industrial part of the south side of the city, leaving them in control of about three quarters of Krasnohorivka. Russia has to great effect employed rather odd looking vehicles, which are basically a generic vehicle with a shell of armor placed on top, with an exit in the rear. This has allowed Russian infantry to quickly and safely deploy to the front. This style of armored personnel carrier seems to be slower and more cumbersome than traditional models but with Ukraine facing critical shortages of artillery and anti-tank guided missiles, they are proving to be quite tough. However, the moment Ukraine gets anti-tank weaponry or a reasonable amount of artillery shells, these vehicle will be actively detrimental for Russia to use.
Russia also made further advanced north of Avdiivka, where they are steadily pushing along the railroad towards Ocheretyne. The fall of Ocheretyne will open up Russia to a wide open area with few natural defensive lines. If Russia is to score a substantial breakthrough in the next few weeks, I think this is a top candidate. At Chasiv Yar, the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal provides Ukraine with a strong natural defensive line, while there exists another defensive line west of Avdiivka, beyond the one that Russia is currently breaking through and dismantling.
The United States has joined with the United Kingdom in stating that they will not be sending their planes and pilots to Ukrainian airspace to defend against Russian missiles and drones. In another blow to Ukrainians air aspirations, Denmark inked a massive deal with Argentina to sell a substantial portion of their F-16s, though this does not cut into the previously pledged amount to Ukraine. It does, however, reduce their future pool for F-16s, but this is a problem for much further down the road.
This news comes as Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine is outnumbered ten to one in artillery and thirty to one for planes. Days ago, public statements from Ukrainian officials were painting a still dire but less severe picture, stating that they were fighting at a five to one disadvantage for artillery. Zelenskyy also stated that the cause of the destruction of a large thermal plant near Kyiv was due to shortages, specifically, air defense missile shortages. According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian forces were able to intercept the first seven missiles, but then they ran out, and four Russian missiles hit and destroyed the plant.
Zelenskyy today signed the mobilization bill, putting to end months of political disputes over the issue. There will be more to come, such as the number of people to mobilize. But for now, key changes have been made as to who may be mobilized, how the process works, and conditions for some people to potentially be demobilized. It is a vital set of changes that will help facilitate more people to be trained, and a major step to resolving one of Ukraine's most pressing issues on the front. With there finally being light at the end of the tunnel for Ukraine's current manpower shortages, the situation is far murkier for American military aid. Two separate efforts to force aid bills past Speaker of the House Mike Johnson have gained additional traction; as has an effort to have him renoved all together, from far-right Ukraine-sceptics. This has put him into a rather awkward spot. Democrats seem keen on saving him, if he is willing to pay ball on Ukraine, but he seems less interested in that arrangement, as it could mean the end of his political career once the balance of power in the House shifts. Meanwhile, the House is once again trying to impeach a member of the Biden cabinet. Overall, dysfunction rules, but at least the budget won't be a concern until autumn.