Ukraine Halts Russian Gas After Claims Victory
On Wednesday, Russian gas flows to Europe via a vital transit point in Ukraine ceased, as Kyiv claimed combat victories over invading Russian forces, including the recapture of four towns near Kharkiv’s second city.
Even after President Vladimir Putin launched a “special military action” on Feb. 24, Ukraine has remained a significant gateway for Russian gas to Europe. Western sanctions are attempting to prohibit or phase out the use of Russian energy, which is a key source of cash for Putin’s war effort and a weakness for Europe, particularly Germany. Ukraine’s gas operator said on Tuesday it will transfer gas from the Sokhranivka transit point, which is in a territory seized by Russian forces, to another in a Ukraine-controlled area, blaming the stoppage on Russian occupying forces.
Is the Conflicted on a Halt?
Since being forced to abandon an attack on Kyiv, Russia’s main army has been attempting to encircle Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbas area, utilizing the city of Izyum near Kharkiv in the northeast as a base. Top US intelligence sources believe the conflict has come to a halt as Ukrainian forces have generally held out against attacks from three sides. According to US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Putin looked to be preparing for a lengthy fight, and a Russian win in the Donbas region might not be enough to end the conflict.
However, the counterattack in Kharkiv might herald the start of a new phase, with Ukraine going on the offensive and Russian supply lines becoming exposed. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian victories were progressively driving Russian soldiers out of Kharkiv, which has been bombarded since the conflict began.
Ukrainian military retrieved the remains of Russian soldiers killed in the combat in the towns of Staryi Saltiv and Vilkhivka near Kharkiv. According to Ukraine’s military staff, Russian soldiers were attempting to block Ukrainian troops from going farther towards the border in the Kharkiv area and were attempting to entirely take control of the town of Rubizhne. Russian militaries were shelling the Sumy and Chernihiv districts near the Ukrainian border, according to Ukrainian border guards.
