Ukraine delaying spring counter-offensive for three reasons – media reports
“The expected spring offensive has been framed as Ukraine’s make-or-break opportunity this year to recapture territory held by Russian forces, which totals about one-fifth of the country,” the report says.
Read also: Ukraine to make its own decisions on counter-offensive, Blinken says
“But the operation has been delayed by weather, slow equipment deliveries and ammunition scarcities, fueling fears of a stalemate.”
According to the newspaper, a 24-year-old captain with the call sign Metis who oversees the planning of operations and reconnaissance for his unit said that “we’ve seen newly mobilized (Russian) troops brought in just for digging, and they are reinforcing their positions very well.”
He admitted that despite the success of some testing operations, his unit is not ready for the full offensive.
The Washington Post added that further complicating the planned counterattack is the leak of dozens of U.S. military and intelligence documents, including many details about the condition of Ukraine’s military and its capabilities, including weaknesses in air defenses, that could force commanders to alter plans.
Read also: Leaked Pentagon documents significantly inaccurate, UK warns
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on April 11 that the much-anticipated major Ukrainian counteroffensive may begin as late as summer.
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar earlier said that any official communications about the planned counteroffensive must come from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, or Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) secretary Oleksiy Danilov previously said that the elevated media attention paid to the planned operation was detrimental to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, urging the public to not expect any “magical dates” that would suddenly turn the tide of the conflict.
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, the counter-offensive is expected to begin in April-May, along several axes simultaneously.
Read also: Former Aidar commander gives four requirements for successful Ukrainian counter-offensive
On Feb. 28, Ukrainian Military Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said the next three months in Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine would be “very active” and would determine the course of events in the war.
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