What is happening on the ground in Ukraine? Almost three years after the beginning of the war, the Military Affiliated Students Group at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies presented a panel to discuss updates on the war in Ukraine.
The panel was led by retired Air Force Special Operations pilot Nolan Peterson and retired Air Force Lt. Col Dr. Jahara Matisek. Both Peterson and Matisek have reported extensively from the front lines in Ukraine.
The panel began with opening remarks from Ian Bertram, the president of the Military Affiliated Students group at DU and a current active-duty Air Force Officer.
Berkam’s first question for the two panelists was regarding Ukraine’s biggest priorities at this point in the conflict.
Matisek explained that Ukraine’s primary mission right now is to reassure allies and partners in Europe through military readiness and preparedness. He touched on the importance of the constant training of Ukrainian armed forces.
The panel noted how European militaries are facing a depletion in their weapons and ammunition. “As we look towards the upcoming year, the European militaries might also be facing their own point of exhaustion of giving the Ukrainians everything they have,” Matisek said.
Due to a lack of weaponry, it appears Ukrainians will have to diverge from any plans for a counter-offensive this summer. Matisek highlighted how the lack of weaponry is unfortunate for the Ukrainians, as he had hoped they would prepare for a large-scale counteroffensive in June.
Peterson added his report from the front line in Ukraine and addressed the current combat situation for Ukrainian soldiers on the ground.
“At least 88% of Ukrainians have lost a family member or a close friend, either killed or wounded since the war started,” Peterson said. “In places like Kyiv, life goes on, it’s like London during the blitz, but other cities like Marinka, Bakhmut and Mariupol have been virtually annihilated.”
Peterson discussed the failure of Putin’s goal to crush the morale of the Ukrainians with a constant bombardment of missile and drone strikes. He noted that the Kremlin’s attacks have only hardened the Ukrainians’ will, and about 80% of Ukrainians reject any territorial concessions to Russia.
Matisek touched on the newer reserve soldiers joining the ranks on the front lines. “I think there is a problem now where Ukrainians are having to mobilize new soldiers to refill their ranks and soldiers who have survived up to this point in the war are exhausted,” he said.
He explained that reserve soldiers only receive a few weeks of training before being expected to execute combined arms warfare against Russia.
Concluding remarks were given by Peterson, adding the importance of covering the Ukraine war and its significance to America.
“If Russia wins, I can almost guarantee we’re going to be fighting a general war in Europe at some point,” Peterson said. “There’s a whole domino chain of what is going to happen if Russia wins, you’re clearly on the edge of a major general war in Europe the likes of which we haven’t seen since World War II.”
