A Russian and another Ukrainian expert for “Sky News Arabia” assess what the counterattack has achieved so far, and what is expected in the next, with a comparison between the capabilities of the armies of the two countries, especially in air superiority.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the start of the counterattack, which Kiev had long promised Moscow, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukrainian attack “did not achieve any success”. .
Kiev has been aiming since this attack, strongly supported by its allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization “NATO”, to return the lands annexed by Russia during the war which has lasted since February 24, 2022 in the east and the southeast of Ukraine.
“No return to February borders”
The New York Times on Sunday quoted unnamed US and European officials acknowledging that the withdrawal of Russian forces from territories they controlled and the return of Ukrainian forces to the February 24, 2022 borders “are unlikely, even if the counter- attack succeeds.” “.
However, they believe the attack could become a turning point in the conflict, and much will depend on its outcome in the debate over securing Ukraine’s future and its support.
For his part, former Pentagon officer Stephen Bryan said on the “Substack” platform that the Ukrainian president received bad news about the failures of the forces during the attack on Zaporizhia, according to the Russian agency “Novosti”. .
He also pointed out that “the best team of the Ukrainian army, the 47th mechanized brigade, which was trained in NATO countries and equipped with modern equipment and technologies, failed in the counterattack”.
Ukrainian optimism
On the other hand, Zelenskyy expressed his optimism about the attack, adding in his videotaped nighttime speech, smiling about the troops: “They are all in a state of optimism.” In response to Putin’s statements on the counterattack, he said: “It is important for Russia to always feel that there is not much left.”
Morale War
Ukrainian military expert Oleh Danilov is as optimistic as his boss, telling Sky News Arabia:
The initiative is now in the hands of Ukraine and the morale of the troops is high. Moscow faces the attack and is plagued with weaknesses, including a shortage of arms and ammunition, and the declining morale and performance of its forces. As for the Russian military expert, Vladimir Igor, he says that Kyiv faces several obstacles: Russian airstrikes drive out Ukrainians and their Western weapons. Ukraine lacks air supremacy and a superior Russian air force would destroy Western equipment in a heap of scrap metal. If there are breakthroughs, as the Ukrainians say, they will collide with impregnable Russian fortifications and advanced weapons that break any wave of counterattack. Russia has not yet started the battle; His real war comes with the NATO countries. Ukraine suffers from a shortage of professional military personnel.
Allied Support
The Ukrainian offensive is expected to use thousands of troops trained and armed by Ukraine’s allies.
In this regard, the newspaper “Washington Post” published a report on the advanced American weapons that should be used on the battlefield of the counterattack, noting that “they could tip the balance in favor of the Ukraine”.
90 “Stryker” APCs. Over 100 Bradley Fighting Vehicles. 31 Abrams tanks. 105mm artillery pieces move quickly across the battlefield compared to heavier howitzers such as the M777. 3 anti-tank systems, Javelin missiles and Carl Gustav rifles, intended for use by infantry soldiers in attack vehicles. Bomb-resistant vehicles known as “MRAPs” are equipped with front-mounted bullets designed to detonate mines. Protective equipment will help bomb technicians.
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