Ukraine war: after two months of slow progress the long-awaited counteroffensive is picking up speed. Why has it taken so long?
Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive was the subject of speculation for months before it officially began at the beginning of June.
- Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive was the subject of speculation for months before it officially began at the beginning of June.
- So far, only modest progress has been made and there have been concerns from Kyiv’s allies that Ukraine is making insufficient headway against entrenched Russian defences.
- With the end of summer now fast approaching, it seems that a serious push is taking place.
- But reports emerge daily to indicate that progress is being made in a number of areas.
Overcoming Russian defences
- While Russian forces are reported to be disorganised and suffering low morale, they have the advantage of occupying well-prepared defensive positions, which will make them hard to dislodge.
- They have been able to prepare many challenges, such as minefields that stretch for hundreds of kilometres.
- While Ukraine possesses a highly mobile, well-trained and capable force, physical barriers of this nature are proving difficult to navigate.
Pragmatic approach
- Heavy losses in early phases have already caused Ukraine to rethink its approach.
- General Syrskyi, the architect of some of Ukraine’s biggest victories, stresses the importance of a cautious approach: “We’d like to get very fast results, but in reality, it’s practically impossible.” Likewise, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has stressed the importance of not expecting “Hollywood” style outcomes.
- This is likely to frustrate key Nato allies, who are increasingly critical of the pace of advance.
- Yet again, Ukrainian forces are pragmatic: “We can’t draw big conclusions yet,” a senior military officer told journalists on July 30.