Ukraine counteroffensive expectations ‘overestimated’ – Kiev
Expected results from Kiev's ongoing counteroffensive against Russia have been "overestimated," Ukraine’s Defense Minister Alexey Reznikov has claimed. The offensive by Ukrainian forces should be treated as "some kind of preparatory operation" rather than a decisive battle, he added.
Reznikov gave an interview to Fox News which was published on Sunday, in which he insisted Kiev had never planned the offensive to be a "blitzkrieg." The minister admitted that the Russians had erected "very strong defensive lines" all along the frontline.
"It’s some kind of preparatory operation, shape operation certainly. And we understand that they use very strong defense lines, especially minefields," Reznikov said, adding that the "expectation was overestimated" for the Ukrainian "counteroffensive plan."
At the same time, the minister insisted the stalled effort was the "next step to victory." Reznikov also claimed that Kiev has been very careful in deploying its troops onto the battlefield and has been doing its best to "save their lives," alleging that Moscow has been using its forces as a "meat grinder." The minister also expressed confidence this year will be a "game changer" in the ongoing conflict, yet urged the public not to expect a decisive victory stemming from the ongoing push.
Ukraine launched its long-heralded counteroffensive in early June, repeatedly attacking Russian positions at different points across the frontlines. Thus far, the push has failed to produce any tangible results, with the Kiev forces sustaining heavy casualties.
The stalled effort has already cost Kiev thousands of servicemen and hundreds of pieces of Western-supplied military hardware, including multiple German-made Leopard 2 tanks and US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.
