Military probably with difficulties
Zelenskyj dampens expectations of reconquests
07/14/2023 11:04 p.m
The Ukrainian offensive is underway and the armed forces have had some minor victories in recent weeks. However, President Zelenskyi is dampening hopes because of the fierce resistance of the Russians. One should be thankful for even the smallest advances.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dampened expectations of the ongoing Kiev offensive. “We must understand very clearly – as clearly as possible – that the Russian armed forces in our southern and eastern areas will do everything possible to stop our soldiers,” Zelenskyy said in his video address that evening. Therefore one must be grateful for every kilometer that one’s own troops advance and for every success in battle, he warned. The statement is an indication of the difficulties faced by the Ukrainian military in its offensive.
After the NATO summit in Vilnius, from which Zelenskyj returned with promises from the G7 about a security partnership instead of an invitation to join NATO, the head of state’s attention was now more focused on current events at the front. At a meeting with the military leadership, the combat operations, the supply of the troops and the coordination with the partners in the supply of weapons and ammunition were discussed, the 45-year-old said. He also announced an upcoming reform of military training.
In early June, Ukrainian troops in the south began an offensive to retake areas occupied by Russia at the beginning of its more than 16-month war of aggression. So far, the Ukrainians’ gains in territory have been small, but they have had some minor successes and are said to have recently made progress in the city of Bakhmut, which has been hard-fought for months. Both sides report heavy fighting.
In the past few weeks, several leaders of the Ukrainian armed forces have reported on the fierce resistance of the Russian occupiers, who are said to have set up extensive defensive positions. The military also repeatedly pointed out that the offensive would drag on for a long time. Kiev has also repeatedly warned that more weapons from the West are needed to make greater progress. Above all, modern fighter jets should be missing.