The Armed Forces of Ukraine (APU) can launch a counter-offensive in two months, informed adviser to the chief of staff of the Ukrainian president Mykhailo Podolyak in an interview with La Stampa on March 10.
“We need to increase the supply of 155 mm caliber heavy artillery shells. We are in no rush, we will reorganize over the next couple of months,” he said (as quoted by Strana).
In January, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Kirill Budanov declared in an interview with ABC that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are planning a “serious offensive” in the spring. Vadim Skibitsky, deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, argued that within the framework of the offensive actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they would try to “drive a wedge into the Russian front in the south, between Crimea and mainland Russia.
On Tuesday, March 7, the Politico newspaper, quoting senior US military leadership informed that the Ukrainian army’s counter-offensive will begin in the next six to eight weeks. The publication noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are waiting for the end of the spring thaw and warming, as well as the completion of the training of their units in European countries.
In February, Politico, citing sources informed that the administration of US President Joe Biden is trying to persuade the Ukrainian authorities to launch a counter-offensive, citing the absence of problems with military assistance from the West as an argument. As noted in the article, the White House fears that the situation with Kiev’s support could become more complicated due to the actions of the new Republican majority in the US House of Representatives.
On Ukraine’s preparation for a major counteroffensive informed The Economist. An impressive flow of military aid gives Kiev confidence in the possible success of offensive actions: according to the publication’s estimates, over the past three months, 40% of all military aid pledged by the Pentagon since the beginning of the conflict has arrived in Ukraine.
“While all attention is now focused on the battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut, attention will soon turn to the expected counter-offensive, which could begin as early as April,” the article said.
At the same time, The Economist highlighted the ambiguity of the success of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ spring counter-offensive. As the publication notes, the bulk of Ukraine’s military consists of “mobilized men with limited experience”, while ammunition shortages continue to be among the problems.
Talking about the possibility of a counteroffensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the acting head of the DPR Denis Pushilin expressed an opinion that Kiev does not have forces capable of initiating hostilities on the territory of the republic. “I can say that we are not immune to provocative actions from them, but personally I don’t see a transition to some kind of serious counter-offensive,” he said on the airwaves of Rossiya 24 TV channel.
