Winter's icy grip slows Russian advances in Kharkiv
The Unian Agency highlights the prevailing weather conditions across Ukraine. In the Kharkiv region, significant snowfall has been recorded for the first time this winter, with temperatures staying well below freezing. Military officials discuss how these conditions will impact front-line operations, particularly the movements of Russian forces.
"It will certainly have a significant impact on the enemy's operations because they are trying to advance, while we are on the defense. These weather conditions are crucial since the enemy struggles with the cold and operates in the snow, making them more visible. The enemy is suffering, as they should," said Yevhen Romanov, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military group in Kharkiv.
Winter is a major adversary for the Russians
The Russians find themselves at a disadvantage, not just because they are on the offensive. Their ongoing issue, evident over the past two winters, is their equipment. Although Moscow attempts to supply extra heavy equipment from its warehouses, they consistently overlook soldiers' gear. Observers of the Ukraine conflict reported in November, when temperatures began to fall, that Russian soldiers were requesting warm clothing.
Yevhen Romanov noted that favourable weather conditions, such as no precipitation and clear skies, lead to a noticeable increase in artillery strikes and drone usage, which become significantly more challenging in cloudy, foggy, or snowy conditions.
"Last week in the Kharkiv region, there was a lot of sunshine, so the weather favoured the artillery units on both sides," Romanov stated.
Winter at the front. What does this mean exactly?
"General Frost" does not support Russia, and the coldest time of year is more advantageous for the Ukrainians.
This is due to the superior equipment of Ukrainian soldiers, who receive significantly more warm clothing and winter gear from NATO countries compared to what Russians receive from their authorities. Warm gloves and socks protect extremities vulnerable to frostbite, and the absence of such essentials has often forced Russians to improvise with footcloths.
Severe frost hinders military equipment performance and can lead to total malfunctions. For instance, weapon parts may freeze, and greases and oils in heavy equipment may lose effectiveness. Frost also impacts drones extensively used in the conflict in Ukraine, as battery life is notably reduced in cold temperatures.
