Russia And Ukraine represent different versions of the conflicts around Zaporozhyebut analysts warn that Ukrainian counterattack there will be an uphill battle with Russian troops. Major Ukrainian shelling took place on Thursday in the south and east of Zaporozhye. Despite the fact that their profits were not significant for Kyiv, the scale of operations seems unusual.

In addition, three senior US officials and several military analysts say the long-awaited counterattack appears to be well underway, basing their opinion on the fact that the aforementioned attacks used military equipment sent months ago by the Western Allies and are still in place today. A few months ago, Westerners began training special forces and equipping them with Western weapons. Thursday’s attacks saw some of these units and, for the first time, their widespread use. German Armored Leopard and from American Bradley fighting vehicles.

“It appears that some of the new brigades that Ukraine has formed for this counteroffensive have been put into action, indicating that the counteroffensive is well under way,” said Rob Lee, senior fellow at the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies. “Ukrainian forces have made some tactical successes, although they have suffered casualties,” he added.

Significant losses

The picture at the front remains largely bleak, as the Ukrainians do not give much information, especially about casualties, and the Russians are tight-lipped in their statements. However, many Russian bloggers who have become an important source of information claim that the Ukrainian attacks on Thursday were prevented. According to them, the Ukrainians suffered heavy losses, and the Russian Defense Ministry on Thursday said that its forces repelled a Ukrainian attack in the Zaporozhye region, near the village of Novodarovka.

However, the fact remains that in recent months the Russians have built a strong defense in the areas they held. Video, confirmed by the New York Times, shows a Ukrainian armored personnel carrier hitting a mine in the town of Velika Novoselka, Donetsk region, on Thursday.

If Ukraine fails to break through minefields, armored traps and Russian trenches, its desire to additionally arm its forces is likely to diminish, putting pressure on Kiev to start negotiations with Moscow or “freeze” the conflict by consolidating some Russian territorial holdings. profit.