Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Strategies Against Russia: Tactics, Progress, and Challenges Revealed

Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Gains Momentum in Russian-Occupied Territory

The first phase of Ukraine’s counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territory has been underway for weeks, but details about its progress have been scarce. While Kyiv claims that its troops are making headway, the operation has largely taken place away from the eyes of impartial observers.

The fighting in eastern and southern Ukraine has pitted Ukrainian forces armed with new Western-supplied weapons against Kremlin forces that have spent months fortifying their positions and refining their tactics.

Here’s a closer look at the current situation after more than 16 months of war:

Ukraine’s Tactics:
Fighting has intensified at multiple points along the 1,500-kilometer front line. Ukrainian forces have been steadily advancing along the northern and southern flanks of the city of Bakhmut, which has been under Russian occupation since May.

Battles are also raging along the southern front in Zaporizhzhia, where Ukrainian forces are facing formidable Russian fortifications and making minimal gains.

Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy minister of defense, recently revealed that Kyiv’s forces had destroyed six Russian ammunition depots in just 24 hours, indicating the effectiveness of Ukrainian tactics. The goal is to starve Russian units of supplies and reinforcements by targeting logistic and command centers in the rear. Ukraine is also attempting to stretch Russia’s resources by launching simultaneous attacks along multiple points on the front line.

Admiral Tony Radakin, chief of the UK defense staff, described Ukraine’s strategy as “starve, stretch, and strike.” However, Ukraine lacks vital air cover for its attacks, and while it has secured pledges from Western allies for F-16 fighter jets, they are not expected to be deployed until next year. Ukraine is also requesting long-range weapons and additional ammunition.

Russia’s Tactics:
The Kremlin’s forces have been using a large number of anti-tank mines to impede Ukraine’s armored counteroffensive operations in southern Ukraine. This puts Ukrainian attackers at the mercy of Russian drones, helicopters, and artillery.

Despite being entrenched behind extensive trenches, anti-tank ditches, and other obstacles, Russian forces are facing numerous difficulties. Battlefield attrition has significantly weakened Moscow’s military strength, exposing incompetence, a lack of initiative, and poor coordination within Russian ranks.

According to Admiral Radakin, Russia has lost about half of its combat strength since its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russian factories are struggling to produce enough munitions to replace those lost on the battlefield. For instance, Russia has used approximately 10 million shells in Ukraine but has only manufactured 1 million new ones. Similarly, it has lost over 2,000 tanks but has only produced 200 replacements.

The Next Steps:
U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently stated that Ukraine’s counteroffensive will be “very long” and “very bloody.” Ukrainian soldiers have been surprised by the intensity of Russian shelling, which has slowed Kyiv’s advance.

In particularly open areas like Zaporizhzhia, where finding cover is challenging, commanders are exposing fewer soldiers to limit casualties from heavy artillery.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that the counteroffensive is not progressing as quickly as anticipated. The operation was delayed as Kyiv awaited the delivery of Western arms and the arrival of Western-trained soldiers, resulting in a summer start instead of a spring one.

Military planners must also consider the upcoming Ukrainian winter, which brings muddy conditions that impede the movement of armor and troops. Known as “rasputitsa,” this notorious mud season will require both sides to reassess and prepare for what could be another round of attritional warfare in the coming months.

While Western analysts believe that the counteroffensive, even if successful, will not end the war, it could prove to be a decisive episode and strengthen Kyiv’s position in negotiations. Ukraine is also eager to demonstrate to the West that the aid it received was worthwhile.

For more information on the war in Ukraine, follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.

How has Russia’s strategy hindered Ukraine’s armored counteroffensive operations in southern Ukraine

Ukraine’s counteroffensive to reclaim Russian-occupied territory has been in progress for several weeks, but information about its progress has been limited. While Ukraine claims that its troops are making progress, the operation has largely taken place without impartial observers.

Fighting in eastern and southern Ukraine has pitted Ukrainian forces equipped with new Western-provided weaponry against Kremlin forces that have spent months fortifying their positions and refining their tactics.

Here is an overview of the current situation after more than 16 months of war:

Ukraine’s Strategy:

Battles have intensified at multiple points along the 1,500-kilometer front line. Ukrainian forces have been steadily advancing along the northern and southern flanks of the city of Bakhmut, which has been under Russian occupation since May.

Fighting is also ongoing along the southern front in Zaporizhzhia, where Ukrainian forces are facing strong Russian fortifications and making limited gains.

Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy minister of defense, recently revealed that Ukrainian forces destroyed six Russian ammunition depots in just 24 hours, highlighting the effectiveness of Ukraine’s tactics. The objective is to cut off Russian units from supplies and reinforcements by targeting logistics and command centers in the rear. Ukraine is also attempting to strain Russia’s resources by launching coordinated attacks along multiple points on the front line.

Admiral Tony Radakin, chief of the UK defense staff, described Ukraine’s strategy as “starve, stretch, and strike.” However, Ukraine lacks essential air support for its attacks, and while it has secured commitments from Western allies for F-16 fighter jets, deployment is not expected until next year. Ukraine is also requesting long-range weapons and additional ammunition.

Russia’s Strategy:

Russian forces have been using a significant number of anti-tank mines to hinder Ukraine’s armored counteroffensive operations in southern Ukraine. This puts Ukrainian attackers at the mercy of Russian drones, helicopters, and artillery.

Despite being entrenched behind extensive trenches, anti-tank ditches, and other obstacles, Russian forces are facing numerous challenges. The attrition of battle has significantly weakened Moscow’s military strength, exposing incompetence, lack of initiative, and poor coordination within Russian ranks.