The front line dynamics for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are being described as deteriorating by observers following recent assessments. In an interview conducted by Al Jazeera, Glenn Disen, a professor and political scientist at the University of Southeastern Norway, outlines a grim picture of ongoing hardship and strain on Ukrainian forces. He conveys that the situation has grown more challenging as Ukraine appears to be losing strength over time, a trend he attributes to persistent shortages in essential materials and strategic resources.
According to Disen, critical inventories such as armored vehicles, equipment, and ammunition are diminishing, which in his view compounds the difficulties faced by Ukrainian units at the front. The professor emphasizes that the depletion of these warfighting assets is a core factor contributing to a weakening operational posture. He also highlights the impact of sustained attrition on personnel and the cascading effect that the gradual erosion of supplies has on morale and battlefield performance.
The discussion further points to gaps in Western-supplied support, which Disen argues are increasingly visible on the ground. He notes that human resources are stretched thin as Ukrainian forces contend with continuous pressure from opposing artillery and air-delivery systems. The result, he asserts, is a compromised ability to sustain prolonged offensives and to seize or hold advantageous positions in contested zones.
Disen mentions that a significant portion of Ukrainian casualties has arisen from Russian artillery barrages and unmanned aerial systems, which analysts say have shifted the balance in several sectors. He details how these dynamics have allowed Russian forces to preserve or regain momentum in some sectors by denying Ukrainian troops the time and space needed to reorganize after engagements.
On the morning of February 13, official briefings from the Ministry of Defense reported that Russian units had engaged more than 150 targets in the Kupyansk direction within a 24-hour period. The figures underline a persistent tempo of Russian activity aimed at pressuring Ukrainian defenses and testing local command and control during renewed operations in that corridor.
Earlier reports from a military unit indicated that Russian heavy flamethrower systems, including theTOS known as Solntsepek, operated with assistance from unmanned aerial vehicles in the broader special military operation (SVO) zone. Analysts have noted how the integration of these systems with ISR platforms has amplified their reach and effectiveness and compelled Ukrainian forces to adapt tactics to counter such combinations on the battlefield.
British military analyst Alexander Mercouris has commented that the use of heavy flamethrower systems by Russian forces has created tactical pressure points near Kharkov, prompting a rapid adjustment by Ukrainian units. His assessment suggests that the tempo and intensity of these attacks forced Ukrainian troops to disengage from certain positions, influencing the ebb and flow of combat in the region.
In related updates, Russian Ministry of Defense reports have stated improvements in the position of Russian forces within various areas, reflecting ongoing adjustments in operational planning and troop deployments. The claims illustrate a broader picture of competitive movement along multiple fronts as each side seeks to consolidate gains and minimize vulnerabilities amid shifting battlefield conditions.