Russia Launches New Wave of Air Strikes on Ukraine
On Thursday morning, Russia launched a fresh wave of air strikes on Ukraine, causing panic and destruction in the region. The attacks reportedly involved hypersonic missiles, which can travel up to 8km (5 miles) per second, making them difficult to intercept by Ukrainian defences. The use of these advanced weapons has raised concerns about the escalation of the conflict, which has been ongoing since 2014.
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with no end in sight to the conflict. The war has seen a change in tactics from week to week, making it difficult to predict what will happen next. The unpredictability of the strikes has left those living in the affected areas in a constant state of fear, never knowing when a missile will come their way.
Despite the ongoing violence, there is still hope for diplomacy. In this article, we will explore the views of three experts on the conflict: Pavel Felgenhauer, a defence and military analyst; Hanna Shelest, the director of security programmes at the think-tank Ukrainian Prism; and Patrick Bury, an associate professor in security at the University of Bath.
Pavel Felgenhauer believes that the current situation is a result of Russia’s desire to maintain control over Ukraine. He argues that Russia sees Ukraine as part of its sphere of influence and is unwilling to allow it to become closer to the West. According to Felgenhauer, Russia’s use of hypersonic missiles is a clear sign that it is willing to escalate the conflict if necessary.
Hanna Shelest agrees that Russia is trying to maintain control over Ukraine, but she believes that there is still room for diplomacy. She argues that both sides need to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful solution to the conflict. She suggests that Ukraine could offer Russia some concessions, such as greater autonomy for Russian-speaking regions, in exchange for an end to the violence.
Patrick Bury takes a different view, arguing that the conflict in Ukraine is part of a broader trend towards authoritarianism and aggression by Russia. He believes that Russia’s actions in Ukraine are part of a larger strategy to undermine Western democracies and expand its influence in Europe. According to Bury, the only way to stop Russia’s aggression is through a united response from the international community.
Despite their different views on the conflict, all three experts agree that diplomacy is essential if there is to be any hope of resolving the situation peacefully. They also agree that the use of advanced weapons like hypersonic missiles only serves to escalate the conflict and make it more difficult to find a solution.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a complex and volatile situation. The use of advanced weapons like hypersonic missiles has raised concerns about the escalation of the conflict and the potential for further violence. However, there is still hope for diplomacy, and all sides must work together to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Only through dialogue and cooperation can we hope to bring an end to this tragic situation and prevent further suffering for those affected by the violence.