Ukraine says troops breach Russian lines, heavier defences lie ahead

Ukraine’s troops have made advances against Russia’s first line of defenses in several areas, but they have now encountered even stronger Russian positions, according to Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar. The much-anticipated counteroffensive by Kyiv’s forces is currently taking place in the Zaporizhzhia region. The US has also acknowledged that Ukraine has made notable progress in the southern front in the past 72 hours.

Maliar stated on television, “There is an offensive in several directions and in certain areas. And in some places, in certain areas, this first line was broken through. In some areas it was not broken through, the situation is different there.” However, she also mentioned that their troops have now come face-to-face with major Russian fortifications, hindering their advancement through heavily-mined areas that they have been battling against for nearly three months.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby commented on the situation, stating that the US has observed Ukraine’s armed forces making progress in the southern line of advance originating from the Zaporizhzhia area. Kirby added that Ukraine is now faced with the challenge of capitalizing on this success, while being mindful that tough fighting lies ahead and that Russia could launch a counter effort.

Although Ukraine’s counteroffensive has not yet regained control of any major settlements, it has managed to retake more than a dozen small villages. Russia has already labeled the Ukrainian push as a failure. Ukraine, on the other hand, argues that their slow progress is intentional in order to minimize losses. They also highlight the difficulties they face due to the lack of air power that their Western allies possess.

Ukraine expressed its displeasure this week over news reports, citing unidentified US officials who criticized the slow progress. Concerns have risen that the unwavering support from the West might falter as the weather becomes colder and wetter, hindering progress on the battlefield in the coming months. In an interview, senior presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak stated that negotiations with Russia at this stage would be viewed as a “capitulation” for Ukraine and its supporting democracies.

He emphasized that Ukraine’s Western allies, who have provided significant military support, understand that there can be no compromise with Moscow in this conflict. “At the moment, the partners understand that this war will no longer end in a compromise solution – that is, either we destroy Russia’s capabilities by military means, and to do this we need the appropriate tools, or this war with such level of aggression will continue for some time,” Podolyak said.

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Olena Harmash in Kyiv, Trevor Hunnicitt and Susan Heavey in Washington; Editing by Peter Graff)