THE Head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, acknowledged setbacks in their counteroffensive, but for Russia, Kyiv failed to reach any of its objectives.
Earlier optimism about ending the conflict this year has waned.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive, once seen as a game-changer in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, has hit a roadblock.
Earlier this week, Kirill Budanov, the head of Kyiv’s Main Intelligence Directorate, admitted in a Ukrainskaya Prvada interview that their forces are no longer on track with their plans.
According to the spy chief, the Ukrainian military is not just behind schedule but has completely fallen out of it after several factors did not go as smoothly as planned.
Budanov, however, did not explain what he meant by “falling out of schedule”, saying that everyone should draw their own conclusion.
The Ukrainian spy chief expressed concern that an extended Middle East conflict, like the recent Israel-Hamas escalation, could affect the supply of weapons to Ukraine and hinted at a global war risk.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive is over—Russian Envoy
But for Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebeznia, the 4-month counteroffensive launched by Kyiv has failed to reach any of its objectives.
On Friday, Nebeznia told the UN Security Council,
“For several days now, Russian troops have switched to combat operations, practically along the entire front line. Therefore, we can consider the so-called Ukrainian counteroffensive formally over.”
President Zelensky had previously blamed Russian air superiority and inadequate Western support for the slowdown.
Western military officials have adjusted their expectations due to resilient Russian defenses.
President Putin noted significant losses for Ukraine, despite limited progress.
Last week, Putin said that Ukraine’s casualties amounted to over 90,000 people, 557 tanks, and 1,900 armored vehicles.
