BlueAnorak
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 31 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 27,678
Yes the noises coming from some in western dedence and foreign ministries are there, but the Ukrainians are slowly advancing and are up to the SECOND line of defence in places.Weeks into Ukraine’s highly anticipated counteroffensive, Western officials describe increasingly “sobering” assessments about Ukrainian forces’ ability to retake significant territory, four senior US and western officials briefed on the latest intelligence told CNN.
“They’re still going to see, for the next couple of weeks, if there is a chance of making some progress. But for them to really make progress that would change the balance of this conflict, I think, it’s extremely, highly unlikely,” a senior western diplomat told CNN.
“Our briefings are sobering. We’re reminded of the challenges they face,” said Rep. Mike Quigley, an Illinois Democrat who recently returned from meetings in Europe with US commanders training Ukrainian armored forces. “This is the most difficult time of the war.”
The primary challenge for Ukrainian forces is the continued difficulty of breaking through Russia’s multi-layered defensive lines in the eastern and southern parts of the country, which are marked by tens of thousands of mines and vast networks of trenches. Ukrainian forces have incurred staggering losses there, leading Ukrainian commanders to hold back some units to regroup and reduce casualties.
The Russians had six months to set up these defences and there are mines everywhere! Even so the Ukrainianians are moving forward losing less men than the Russians (unheard of in any offensive previously)
If the Ukrainians don't get through thr defences by mud season, then it is totally down to the west NOT supplying UkraIne with the weapons to do the job (especially aircraft). Not Ukrainian guts and ability.
Last edited: