NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated on Thursday that Ukraine is making progress with its counter offensive, which began in June with the aim of reclaiming territory seized by Russia. However, the progress has been slow due to the presence of Russian fortifications and minefields.
Stoltenberg informed lawmakers at the European Parliament that the Ukrainians are gradually gaining ground and have been able to breach the defensive lines of the Russian forces. He acknowledged that the offensive has faced difficulties in breaking through the entrenched Russian lines and has received criticism from Western media for concentrating forces in the wrong places.
Both sides have achieved limited successes in recent times by gaining control over small areas, such as villages or pockets of land. Stoltenberg emphasized that it was expected that the offensive would proceed slowly, highlighting the extensive number of mines present on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have recently stated that their forces have managed to surpass Russia’s first line of defense but now face further lines where Moscow has had time to strengthen fortifications and lay minefields. Stoltenberg acknowledged the gradual progress made by the Ukrainian forces, noting that while it may not be as much as hoped for, the Ukrainians are gaining ground while the Russians are losing ground.
In praising the achievements of the Ukrainian forces, Stoltenberg highlighted the significant transformation in the balance of power, stating that the Russian army, once the second strongest in the world, is now the second strongest in Ukraine.
Reporting by Sabine Siebold and Marine Strauss; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten
Credit: The Star : News Feed
