Head of European Council: 'I don't think counteroffensive failed'
The head of the European Council, Charles Michel (Getty Images)
The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, has praised the success of Ukraine's Armed Forces in the south of the country and in the Black Sea region in repelling Russia's large-scale military aggression, writes Kyiv Independent.
Michel disagreed with the notion that the Ukrainian counteroffensive did not achieve its goal.
"I don't think this counteroffensive failed," said Michel, responding to questions about the potential impact of slow production and supply of defense aid to Ukraine from partner countries and Russia's adaptation to international sanctions on the success of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
In this context, the head of the European Council cited two examples that, in his opinion, refute claims of a "failure" of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
"Firstly, how the Ukrainian Army made huge progress in the Black Sea is extremely important. This is a major step in the right direction. Secondly, the recent progress made on the left side of the Dnipro River is also very important," he explained.
At the same time, Michel agrees with the importance of further supporting Ukraine with "significant military potential."
"This is what we want to do. For instance, we've already trained more than 30,000 soldiers and will do more," he said.
The head of the European Council also emphasized the need for the EU to accelerate and increase arms production for its provision to Ukraine.
Operations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Black Sea
Recently, Ukrainian military forces conducted several successful operations to destroy Russian ships in the Black Sea. On November 4, the Ukrainian forces struck the shipyard Zatoka in Crimea. As a result of the attack, the carrier of Calibr missiles, the corvette Askol'd, which the occupiers planned to launch and incorporate into the Black Sea Fleet in December of this year, was damaged.
Additionally, on November 10, the intelligence officers of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) carried out a successful special operation in Crimea. Two small landing ships were hit in the town of Chornomorske. Later, GUR confirmed that the operation was conducted using surface drones. One ship of the older Project 1176 Acula, and the other of the newer Project 11770 Serna, sank.
On November 16, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia could no longer use the Black Sea as a springboard for destabilizing other regions of the world. The president added that Ukraine's creation of the world's first fleet of maritime drones contributed to this achievement.
Ukrainian Armed Forces' presence on the left bank of the Dnipro
Last week, the Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed a series of successful operations, allowing them to consolidate positions on several areas on the left bank of the Dnipro in the Kherson region.
It's worth noting that official sources provide information on these operations selectively. According to the spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, Natalia Humeniuk, this area is complex, and not all work is publicized. She explained that the occupants were pushed back from the Dnipro River at a distance of 3 to 8 kilometers.
