Ukraine wants to launch a new counterattack in Russia?

As Ukraine stares down defeat in Donetsk and Russia advances at its fastest pace since the start of the war, a Ukrainian military commander hints at the possibility of launching a Kursk-like offensive in Russia's second region.

The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who oversaw the recent Kursk offensive that surprised Russia, told a small group of military writers that a new counteroffensive is the only path to success for Ukraine, according to The War Zone.

Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Army, Syrskyi. (Photo: Global images Ukraine)

"Victory is impossible if the Armed Forces (of Ukraine) act only defensively," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said, according to Ukrainian military journalist Kirill Sazonov on Telegram. "We must seize the opportunity and counterattack. We have done so and will do so. Where and by whom - everyone will see."

Ukrainian commentator Igor Sushko wrote on X: "Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi hinted at an imminent major counterattack. If this is true and not just a diversionary move against Russia, I predict a landing similar to Kursk, but in another region of Russia. Bryansk, for example?"

Sazonov added that details of the future counterattack would not be disclosed for security purposes. However, he pointed to Ukraine's past successful counterattacks in the Kharkiv and Kherson provinces (Ukraine).

Mr Syrskyi’s talk comes as Ukraine’s defences are collapsing in the east. After the force’s remarkable performance in Kursk province, the results are fading. The defence of the eastern Donetsk region poses the biggest challenge for Ukraine.

In particular, Mr. Syrskyi explained that the situation in Pokrovsk and Kurakhove is “very difficult” but “better than a week ago.”

A recent report from the Institute for the Study of War supports that argument, noting that Ukraine's aggressive defense of Pokrovsk forced Russia to change its approach.

However, Ukraine is also having to change tactics.

“The structure of the armed forces will change,” Sazonov suggested. “Overly expensive and inefficient options will be eliminated. The new structure will be flexible and adaptive, allowing for effective management and eliminating unnecessary links.”

Mr Syrskyi’s comments, however, appear to ignore one of Ukraine’s biggest problems – a lack of manpower to carry out future offensives. A senior Ukrainian official told The Economist he feared the situation could become untenable by spring.

The paper also commented that "an even bigger problem is the quality of the new recruits".

Phuong Anh (Source: The War Zone, Daily Express US)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/ukraine-muon-thuc-hien-cuoc-phan-cong-moi-o-nga-ar910483.html