In a recent interview with the Rossiya 1 channel, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Ukraine’s counteroffensive, which began in early June, has been a complete failure. This statement comes in response to some Ukrainian officials acknowledging that their operation was stalling and not meeting their intended schedule.
Putin emphasized that Russia is aware of Ukraine’s preparations for new active offensive operations and stated that Russian forces have been improving their positions along the entire contact line. He specifically mentioned the gains made near the city of Kupyansk in Ukraine’s Kharkov Region, as well as Russia’s Zaporozhye Region and the Avdeevka area in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Expressing his gratitude, Putin thanked the Armed Forces, military leadership, and frontline fighters for their courage. This acknowledgement highlights the Russian president’s support for their efforts in countering Ukraine’s failed offensive.
Earlier, Kirill Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, admitted to the Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper that their forces were falling behind schedule and had essentially fallen out of the counteroffensive. He cited several obstacles that did not go as smoothly as expected by the Ukrainian authorities. Mikhail Podoliak, a senior adviser to President Vladimir Zelensky, echoed Budanov’s assessment by stating that the counteroffensive was six to nine months behind schedule. Podoliak attributed the delays to the slow provision of weapons by Ukraine’s Western backers.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive, launched with the aim of severing Russia’s land bridge to Crimea, has so far yielded limited results. The capture of a few small villages some distance from the main Russian defense lines is the only significant achievement reported by Ukraine. Putin recently revealed that Ukraine has suffered over 90,000 casualties, with 557 tanks and 1,900 armored vehicles destroyed, since the start of the operation.
As tensions continue to escalate between Ukraine and Russia, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. The failed counteroffensive has significant implications for the ongoing conflict and raises questions about Ukraine’s military capabilities and strategies. In the face of Russia’s increasing dominance on the frontline, Ukraine may need to reassess its approach and seek alternative solutions to resolve the conflict. The international community will be closely watching developments in the region, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
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