Almost two years have passed since Russia began its military invasion of Ukraine. Since October last year, the international community's attention has shifted to the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, but during that time, the war situation in Ukraine has become worse for Ukraine than expected. The situation is such that it can be said that



"Catch! World Top News" caster Shoichiro Beppu explains the latest war situation and the impact of the prolonged invasion.



*This is the content that was broadcast on February 16th.

The eastern town of Audiiuka is a symbol of the struggle.



It is now in a critical situation where it is feared that it will be taken over by the Russian army.

Audiivka is a small industrial town in the eastern Donetsk region.



It is at the forefront of Ukraine's defense line.



However, the town was almost completely destroyed by Russian air strikes, and virtually all of its once 30,000-odd residents were evacuated, and it now lies in ruins.

According to local reports, the Russian military has been expanding its control to surround the town, and several days ago they have advanced troops into the northern and southern parts of the town.

If Audiivka were to fall, it would be a huge blow to the Ukrainian side.



The eastern defense line will fall back accordingly.



In addition, the Ukrainian military would originally want to use Audiiivka as a base and aim to retake Donetsk, the capital of Donetsk Oblast, about 20 kilometers to the south.



However, that goal is further away.



There are two main reasons why this town's fate is emblematic of Ukraine's current struggles.

First, the Ukrainian military is facing a shortage of ammunition.



With military support from the West, the Ukrainian army was able to push its front back to the east once the Russian invasion began.



Last year's reverse offensive certainly did not produce the expected results and is seen as a failure, but on the other hand, it was able to prevent the Russian military from further expanding its territory.



However, with the United States unable to pass a budget for additional military aid, military aid from the West is dwindling.



It is believed that this influence has also extended to the Audi Iuka.

Second, it is also symbolic that the Ukrainian government and military are being forced to make difficult decisions.



President Zelenskiy reportedly said that he would "pay the utmost attention and provide maximum support" to the defense of Audi Ivka.



The military has also sent reinforcements to the newly appointed commander-in-chief, Mr. Shirsky, who replaced Mr. Zarzhny, who was earlier dismissed.



However, the town that everyone remembers is Bahmut, further north in Audiiuka.

The Ukrainian army deployed a large number of troops to defend this town, but in the end it was captured by the Russian army, with many casualties.



There are growing concerns that the same thing will happen to the Audi Iuka.



The invasion will be a long one, almost two years old.



On the front lines, the effects of that prolonged period are becoming clearer to see.