On June 22, Western and US officials said that Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive against Russian forces “failed to meet expectations on any front,” adding that Ukrainian troops and armor were proving “vulnerable” to Russian minefields, missiles and air power.
“Russian defenses have been hardened, making it difficult for Ukrainian forces to penetrate,” CNN quoted US officials as saying. “In addition, Russian forces have succeeded in destroying Ukrainian armor with missile and mine attacks. Russia has deployed air power more effectively.”
Ukrainian artillery fires towards Russian positions. (Photo: New York Times)
According to CNN, Russian defenses have proven more capable than expected. However, the source affirmed that the US remains " optimistic" that Ukraine will turn the situation around. Washington will reassess the attack next month.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry , the Ukrainian counteroffensive began on June 4 with attacks on Russian positions near Donetsk. The ministry said the counteroffensive took place along the Donetsk and Zaporizhia frontline areas.
The counterattacks are said to have inflicted heavy losses on the Ukrainian army. The head of the Russian Security Council, Nikolay Patrushev, said that Ukraine had lost more than 13,000 troops and more than 800 tanks and armored vehicles between June 4 and 21.
However, CNN sources claimed that "Ukrainian casualties were heavy, but not as bad as the Russians are trying to portray".
On June 21, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said progress on the battlefield was "slower than desired" , declaring that the Ukrainian army would eventually drive Russian forces out of the four regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.
Kong Anh (Source: CNN)
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