Ukraine believes Russia is 'showing off a new move', Kiev deeply disagrees with Washington on counter-attack tactics?

According to Natalia Humeniuk, a representative of the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, the attack by two Kalibr missiles launched from the Sea of Azov against the Odessa region during the night and early morning of August 25th demonstrates a change in Russian tactics.

Ukraine nhận định Nga thay đổi chiến thuật, Ukraine, Mỹ bất đồng về chiến thuật phản công Nga

Ukrainian soldiers in the suburbs of Slovyansk, Ukraine. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

Specifically, Humeniuk asserted that Russia had launched airstrikes on areas in southern Ukraine using tactical aircraft. Subsequently, two Kh-35 missiles targeting ports in Odessa were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses.

Just a few hours later, Kalibr missiles launched from the Sea of Azov again attacked the Odessa region and were intercepted.

According to Humeniuk, Russia's deployment of a missile-carrying warship in the Sea of Azov means Moscow is seeking new tactics and approaches to "penetrate" Ukraine's air defense system.

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that Kyiv had shot down all five enemy targets, including four missiles and one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), that attacked during the night and early morning of August 25.

In another development, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (VSU), Valeriy Zaluzhny, announced preparations for a breakthrough with US officials.

However, the Wall Street Journal (US) in its August 25th issue suggested that "deep strategic divisions" still exist between the US and Ukraine. According to the article, officials from both sides have had tense debates about Ukraine's counteroffensive for weeks.

Washington has consistently urged Kyiv to mobilize forces and concentrate them in the North Tokmak region of southern Ukraine to overcome Russia's first line of defense – considered the most impenetrable – and has warned it against "futile efforts" toward Bakhmut. The Wall Street Journal reports that Ukraine has recently made some adjustments as well.

In addition, U.S. military officials have urged Ukraine to return to combined arms training at bases of Washington's allies in Europe, concentrating forces to penetrate Russian defenses and advance into the Sea of Azov.

According to the article, based on careful analysis and calculations, the US believes that the surge in equipment that Washington and its allies have transferred to Kyiv is sufficient for the planned attack.

If the conflict drags on into next year, this strategy may not be repeatable to the same degree. However, U.S. officials are optimistic that it is not yet too late for Ukraine to gain the upper hand on the battlefield.

Source