Ukraine has been advised by US military officials to abandon its targeting of Crimea and instead focus on breaking through Russian lines as part of its counteroffensive efforts, according to CNN. This comes as Kiev has escalated attacks on the Russian peninsula in recent weeks, with Moscow claiming that these strikes are an attempt to divert attention from their failures on the battlefield.
In the past month, Ukraine has launched several attacks on the Crimean Bridge, which connects the peninsula to mainland Russia. These attacks have involved the use of naval drones, aerial drones, and long-range missiles. However, Russia’s air defenses have successfully thwarted an attempted missile strike on the bridge, and have also downed 20 drones that were heading towards unspecified targets on the peninsula.
While these deep strikes have caused some disruption to Russian forces, they have not produced any decisive results, according to an anonymous senior defense official quoted by CNN. The official suggests that it would be more beneficial for Ukraine to focus its efforts on the counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Ukraine’s counterattack began in early June, with the aim of pushing south through the Zaporozhye region and reaching the city of Melitopol near the Sea of Azov. This strategic move would effectively split the Russian front and cut off Russia’s land access to Crimea.
However, the operation has come at a high cost for Ukraine. The latest figures from the Russian Defense Ministry indicate that more than 43,000 Ukrainian troops and nearly 5,000 pieces of heavy equipment have been lost. Ukrainian forces have struggled to breach Russia’s multi-layered network of defenses in some areas, leading Western officials to privately deem the offensive a failure, as reported by various media outlets.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described Ukraine’s attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure as acts of desperation aimed at diverting attention from their military failures. US officials share a similar perspective, with a Pentagon source stating that the offensive does not have an unlimited timeframe and expressing doubt that Ukraine will reach the Sea of Azov by Christmas.
Despite these challenges, Ukrainian officials have remained determined to achieve their objectives. Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba recently stated that he doesn’t care how long it takes. On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin has characterized the Ukrainian offensive as suicidal and accused Ukraine’s Western backers of urging them to continue the war at any cost.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with the conflict showing no signs of resolution in the near future. As the US advises Ukraine to shift its focus towards breaking through Russian lines, the ongoing fighting continues to take a toll on both sides. It is unclear how these developments will impact the course of the conflict and the potential for a peaceful resolution in the region.
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