Doubts in Ukraine about the will to mount an offensive – Washington Post – RT Russia and the former Soviet Union
kyiv forces have lost most of their experienced fighters and are suffering from ammunition shortages, according to the American newspaper
kyiv’s forces were so “degraded” after a year of fighting Russia that some Ukrainian officials doubt their ability to execute a planned spring offensive, The Washington Post reported.
The conflict has taken many of the most seasoned Ukrainian troops, the arrival of inexperienced recruits changing the profile of the country’s army, the American newspaper pointed out on Monday.
US and European officials estimated that up to 120,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured since the Russian military operation began last February, he added. Kyiv keeps information about the losses secret, even from its Western backers.
“Unfortunately, they are all already dead or injured,” a battalion commander from Ukraine’s 46th Air Assault Brigade, identified only by his call sign, Kupol, told the newspaper about his experienced troops. And the ill-trained recruits he recently received “Just drop everything and run” as soon as the battle begins, added the commander.
Another problem facing Ukrainian troops is a shortage of ammunition, including artillery shells and mortar bombs, the Washington Post said, citing those fighting on the ground.
“You are on the front line. They’re coming at you, and there’s nothing to shoot. Kupol said, describing the situation.
“We have neither the men nor the weapons” an unnamed senior Ukrainian government official told the newspaper. He explained that the losses suffered by the side that mounts an offensive are usually two or three times higher than on the side of the defenders. “We can’t afford to lose so many people” added the official.
“If you have more resources, you attack more actively. If you have fewer resources, you defend more. We will defend. That’s why if you ask me personally, I don’t believe in a big counter-offensive for us. I’d like to believe it, but I look at the resources and ask, “With what?” Maybe we will have localized breakthroughs,” the source said.
The official called the number of tanks promised to kyiv by the United States and its allies “symbolic,” while some other officials who spoke to the newspaper did not believe Western weapons could reach the front line in time.
The newspaper also quoted a US official, who said that – despite some gains on the battlefield recently – problems with ammunition, manpower and motivation were even worse on the Russian side. However, no facts were provided to support this claim.
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As for Ukraine, what is at stake will be “particularly high” in the coming months as kyiv’s Western supporters watch to see if the country can regain the initiative, the Washington Post noted.
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