"The wave is in favor of Ukraine", says CNN Brasil correspondent in the country
Ukraine has recovered more territory than it lost to Russian forces, according to a report by CNN Brazil international correspondent Américo Martins, who sent a video recorded in a small village located just 17 kilometers from Russian troops. Coverage was provided directly from the front line of the conflict, in the eastern region of the country.
Américo described a war that has been profoundly transformed since his last visit to the country, about two and a half years ago.
"This war, at the moment, is a war very dominated by technology," said the correspondent, highlighting the central role of drones both for attacks and for supplying and moving soldiers.
Own technology as a Ukrainian differentiator
According to Américo, Ukraine has invested heavily in the development of drones manufactured in the country itself, both aerial and terrestrial, producing thousands of units daily.
"Ukrainians are being more innovative, faster, more determined in this process", he reported. Furthermore, the Ukrainian anti-aircraft system has also shown significant improvements.
The strategy adopted involves a search for independence in relation to NATO and the United States, although the effort is still largely financed by Washington and European Union countries.
The correspondent also highlighted the intensification of Ukrainian attacks deep into Russian territory. Ukraine recently launched an attack with more than 500 drones against Moscow - considered the biggest attack on the Russian capital in more than a year, according to Russian media reports.
"The Ukrainians' idea is to make the Russian elite realize the cost of the war and force Vladimir Putin to abandon the war," Américo explained. The strategy also includes forcing the Russians to disperse their defenses, opening flanks on the battle line.
Data indicates a turnaround on the battlefield
The Institute for the Study of War, an independent organization based in Washington and a reference in data on the conflict, pointed out that in April Ukraine regained more territory than Russia managed to advance - the first net loss of Russian territory since August 2024.
This data was mentioned during the program and corroborates Américo's assessment that "the tide of this war is changing now, it is changing in favor of the Ukrainians".
Ukrainian attacks have also affected the Russian economy, reducing Russia's energy and oil production capacity. Russian oil installations, military installations and airports were hit.
On the other hand, it was highlighted that Donald Trump's political support for Vladimir Putin represents a disincentive for Russia to negotiate on more realistic terms with Ukraine, since Trump has been pressuring Kiev to make concessions demanded by Moscow.
Determination in the regions closest to the front
During the recording of the second video sent by Américo, a drone attack warning siren went off, forcing the correspondent to quickly end his transmission.
The reporter traveled across the country from west to east, passing through Lviv, Kiev and Kharkiv - a city described as the most bombed in the war and which was the second largest in the country before the conflict -, before arriving at the village 17 kilometers from the Russian forces.
Américo observed that the closer to the front line, the more intense the determination of the local population to resist. "Here, they are determined to fight," concluded the correspondent, who was returning to the UK by train over a 31-hour journey.
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Source: CNN