US General: Ukraine’s Successful Counter-Offensive Shatters Failure Claims

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The top U.S. general said Ukraine’s counter-offensive against Russia is ongoing, but the battle ahead will be lengthy and violent. Casualties have increased, but progress on the front lines has been minimal.

The United States and its allies have provided Ukraine with substantial military support to help them break through Russia’s strong defenses.

General Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that it is too early to deem the counter-offensive a failure.

During discussions on arms for Ukraine, Milley acknowledged that the Ukrainian counter-offensive will be slow and difficult.

“There is still a long way to go, and this battle will be challenging and bloody,” Milley told reporters.

Although Ukraine has retaken some territory, they have yet to make a significant breakthrough against Russia’s heavily fortified lines.

Ukraine is deliberately proceeding cautiously to minimize casualties on treacherous defensive lines filled with landmines. They are currently focused on disrupting Russia’s logistics and command structure. Moscow disagrees and claims that Ukraine’s counter-offensive has failed.

While Ukraine has been carrying out their counter-offensive in the east and south for six weeks, Russia has launched their own ground offensive in the northeast.

Russia has fortified their positions with landmines and heavily armed fortifications, making it challenging for Ukraine to make progress.

Milley stated that the anticipated progress in war games does not align with the reality of facing complex minefields and Russian trenches.

“Real war is unpredictable. It’s filled with fear, fog, and friction,” Milley said.

Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have advanced 2 km in the vicinity of Kupiansk. The situation could not be independently verified by Reuters.

The group also discussed increasing ammunition production and providing F-16 fighters to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s defense minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, emphasized the urgent need for weapons and equipment.

“Air defense, ammunition, and armor are our focus,” Reznikov said on Twitter.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, and Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting in Melbourne by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Chris Reese, Leslie Adler, and Michael Perry)