Ukranian counteroffensive falls short of predicted speed

He noted that Ukraine is conducting large-scale offensive operations but acknowledged that the Ukrainian forces have achieved modest successes, especially in the south.

The counteroffensive was expected to be swift, with rapid movement, enemy destruction, and the capture of certain lines and objectives, ultimately achieving a specific goal.

"It (the counteroffensive - Ed.) is successful, but not as much as each of us would like," Tarnavsky said.

The general explained that Ukraine's lag in the counteroffensive is simply due to the fact that "the Russians prepared quite powerfully for this event."

Russian preparations were focused on extensive, meticulously seeded minefields, which complicated movement and turned Ukrainian demining equipment into targets for Russian attacks. Manual demining is laborious and dangerous.

“They made very dense complex mining using minefields, high-explosive warheads, and the direct laying of powerful landmines, which are now located in the areas where equipment and personnel will pass,” added Tarnavsky.

Ukraine's counteroffensive

Some of Ukraine's allies have stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive is progressing slower than expected.

According to the U.S. National Security Council, the Russians have constructed several lines of defense on the occupied territory of Ukraine over the course of many months, which slows down the progress of the Ukrainian forces.

Furthermore, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhny stated that he is annoyed by comments about the "slow" counteroffensive because every meter is gained by our defenders with blood.

Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the counteroffensive is proceeding according to plan but expressed the desire for it to progress faster.