Ukraine's intelligence chief explains what prevents offensive operations
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
An obstacle to offensive operations for both Ukraine and Russia is the active use of drones. Minefields are also an important factor, according to Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, in an interview with Le Monde and his post on Facebook.
In his opinion, the intensive use of drones on both sides made it impossible for both Russian and Ukrainian offensive operations to take place at the front.
Another factor is the density of minefields, which have not been seen since World War II.
The head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine notes that the solution to these problems are technical means of struggle. For drones, these are electronic countermeasures, while minefields require specialized equipment.
Budanov comments on the landings of the Ukrainian military in Crimea as follows: "Some people thought that was impossible. This gives hope - especially to Ukrainians on the peninsula who have been living under Russian occupation for 10 years, and many of them have already started to give up."
Frontline situation
In the summer of 2023, the Ukrainian military launched a counteroffensive in the south and east of our country. The Armed Forces managed to liberate more than a dozen settlements in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. However, the main goal of advancing to the Sea of Azov was not achieved.
At present, the Ukrainian military is mostly on the defensive and attacking whenever possible.
Earlier, the German agency Welt stated that the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, was planning a new counteroffensive. According to experts and journalists, they are probably gathering resources for new operations in 2024.
Read more about the situation at the frontline in the RBC-Ukraine article.
