For Russia, 2022 will undoubtedly be a difficult year. It can be said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused all-round heavy damage to Russia. However, according to Putin , Russia has been pushed to the critical point and can only continue to fight.
Next, Russia's actions once again reflected Russia's will to "continue to fight". In order to welcome the New Year, Russia sent "two big gifts."
The first "big gift" was given to Ukraine. On the first day of the New Year, Russia used a large-scale air raid as a "congratulatory gift" to Ukraine.
According to the British " Daily Telegraph " report, on the evening of December 31, the Russian army once again used a drone to attack Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The Ukrainian side discovered that the words "Happy New Year" were written in Russian on the wreckage of the Russian drone. According to sources from Ukrainian government departments, at 0:00 on January 1, 2023, air defense sirens sounded again across Ukraine, and explosions occurred in many places in Ukraine.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict will probably not end in 2023. Although Russia hopes to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict as soon as possible, it gradually loses hope in peace talks. The most critical thing for Russia to achieve its goals is to rely on military means. Russia's move not only proves that the Russian military's weapons have not been exhausted, but also deliberately "shows off its power" to Ukraine.
The second "big gift" was given to the Russian troops on the front line.
Recently, the Russian government announced that it will exempt all Russians fighting in the Luton Four Prefectures from income tax. Even police officers, security force members and other state agency employees serving in the Luton Four Prefectures will enjoy preferential treatment without providing information about their "income, expenses and assets." The spouses and children of the above-mentioned personnel will also enjoy the same treatment.
After the Russian army took control of Lugansk , the Russian army's battle became increasingly difficult and its advancement was quite strenuous. After the Ukrainian army's counterattack achieved several victories, the morale of the Russian army suffered a heavy blow. At the same time, the fact that Russian people are fleeing in large numbers to avoid conscription is also a headache for the Russian government.
The Russo-Ukrainian war has become a protracted war, and the Russian army has been unable to win another major victory. In order to ensure morale, Russia has no choice but to provide financial comfort to the combatants.
Of course, for Russia, air strikes and tax exemptions have very limited effect on improving the war situation. The Ukrainian army is preparing a new counterattack in the direction of Zaporozhye. Instead of continuing to confront the Ukrainian army, the Russian army should take the initiative to attack, either by attacking Kiev again, or by seizing Usi and cutting off the Ukrainian army's Western assistance. Russia seems to be willing to attack Usi or Kiev, it depends on when the Russian army plans to take action.
Faced with the complex situation, Russia is still proactive. In contrast, as a good partner of Russia, Serbia is somewhat passive.
The West is "menacing" and obviously intends to restart the Kosovo War, and Serbia's choice is to avoid the outbreak of war as much as possible. However, the tree is still but the wind is not stopping. Entering 2023, the situation in Kosovo continues to escalate. Recently, Serbia received another piece of bad news.
According to a report on the Singapore "Lianhe Zaobao" website on January 1, due to the tension caused by protests by Kosovo Serb residents, the Kosovo authorities called on NATO to send additional peacekeeping troops. The Kosovo authorities pointed out that if NATO deploys a large-scale presence in Kosovo, it will improve security and peace in the Balkans.
However, will NATO's troop surge bring peace or increase tension? NATO is obviously on the side of Kosovo, and NATO's increase in troops may not be seen as a preparation for war. As a result, Serbia will face increasing military pressure.
Kosovo has NATO’s support, but Serbia’s situation is quite difficult. Although Russia supports Serbia, Vucic is still pessimistic, emphasizing that Serbia can only rely on itself.
So, now that Kosovo has begun to "shake people", Vucic also has to consider several questions: Can war really be avoided? Will the delaying strategy help Serbia prepare for war, or will it help Kosovo improve its military strength?
