Many people express disappointment about the Ukrainian counterattack: the blitz did not succeed. However, the military has a different perspective. Many experts believe that the main phase has not yet begun. The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken shares this viewpoint.
A well-planned impromptu
Last fall, everyone was inspired by the rapid liberation of Kherson. Approximately the same scenario was expected this time as well. However, the military has pointed out that the previous operation had taken approximately six months to execute, but it happened quietly (and this played in favor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine). The Russians didn’t just gather up and leave the city, although it seems to many that everything happened in a day or a week.
Real evaluation
Many people evaluate the results of the current counterattack from a different point of view, carefully examining the outcomes.
But attention should be paid to the following decisive factors:
- Ukraine has already de-occupied 50% of the territories occupied by the Russian Federation since February 24, 2022;
- This process continues daily, and the next few weeks will be powerful;
The first stage is now observed, which provides the basis for further progress.
Blinken said this counterattack is still months away. The main achievement of the first five weeks is the de-occupation of almost the same amount of territory that the Russian army captured in the last six months. The second positive change is the final transfer of initiative on the battlefield to the Ukrainian side.
On average, the Armed Forces of Ukraine advance by 0.1-1 km daily.
