The counter-offensive of the Ukrainian armed forces is not going as hoped. For example, they do not recapture significant territories. Four high-ranking Western diplomats have now explained why.
For example, Russian troops have multiple lines of defense in eastern and southern Ukraine, Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley told CNN. He recently met with US commanders training Ukrainian armored forces. Training on tanks and other new weapon systems supplied by Western countries sometimes takes as little as eight weeks. There are difficulties in converting the Ukrainian armed forces into combined mechanized combat units.
High losses
“Our briefings are sobering. We are reminded of the challenges they face,” said Quigley. The training, which is described as insufficient, is only one of them. Another reason for slowing down the offensive is high losses. Some units were held back to regroup and reduce casualties. In July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy justified the slow progress so far with the late delivery of advanced weapons systems from the West.
“We planned, [die Gegenoffensive] to start in the spring, but we didn’t. Because frankly, we don’t have enough ammunition, we don’t have enough weapons, and we don’t have enough well-trained brigades. I mean, well trained in these weapons,” he said at the time. Other challenges include mines and huge trench networks.
Limited time window
Several officials told CNN there was only a limited window of opportunity to move forward, which was summer. In the fall, the weather and combat conditions were expected to worsen. In essence, however, they are confident that the Ukrainian soldiers can still make progress on the battlefield. “We all know this is going to be more difficult and slower than anyone would like, including the Ukrainians, but we still believe there is time and space to move forward,” a senior US official said.
However, one diplomat warned that this progress was extremely unlikely to change the balance of the war. In other words, the Russian armed forces are making relatively better progress. “The lack of progress on the ground is one of the reasons why Ukrainian forces are increasingly attacking Russian territory in an attempt to show Russian vulnerability,” said a US military official. The interlocutors must have access to the most recent intelligence information.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
