Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia cannot begin, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, until Western allies dispatch more military support.
He told a Japanese newspaper that without additional tanks, artillery, and Himars rocket launchers, he would not dispatch his troops to the front lines.
He told Yomiuri Shimbun that the situation in eastern Ukraine was “not good” in an interview.
“We are awaiting the arrival of ammunition from our allies,” he said.
When asked about the anticipated counteroffensive, he responded, “We can’t start yet; we can’t send our courageous soldiers to the front line without tanks, artillery, and long-range rockets.”
He added, “You can find a way to assist us if you have the political will.” We are in a state of conflict and cannot wait.”
There have been rumors for weeks that the Ukrainian military will initiate a spring offensive against Russian forces. Commanders in Ukraine have suggested that it may be imminent. This week, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that it could occur “very soon.”
According to some analysts, the Ukrainian military is promoting the concept of a counteroffensive to unsettle their Russian counterparts. Instead of concentrating their forces in specific locations, such as the eastern city of Bakhmut, they want Russian commanders to disperse them thinly along the front lines, ready for any attack.
Other analysts believe that a counteroffensive is imminently conceivable. The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, concluded last week that Ukraine is well-positioned to regain the initiative and initiate counteroffensives in critical sectors of the current frontline, as Russia’s offensive may be losing momentum.
However, President Zelensky is less optimistic. He has frequently warned that the conflict could drag on for years if Western allies do not expedite the delivery of arms.
However, this is the first time he has stated that the counteroffensive may be delayed due to a paucity of Western equipment.
His comments reflect not only his wish to encourage more haste but also his irritation with what he perceives as a lack of urgency.
Allies of Ukraine have pledged more tanks, artillery, and long-range missiles. However, some countries are struggling to fulfill their commitments, while others are taking longer than anticipated to deliver equipment to Ukraine.
Western officials assert that military aid is on its way, but acknowledge that training and planning require time. They also refer to other factors, such as the muddy terrain, which makes it difficult for armies to maneuver and break through the front lines.
Such is the level of speculation regarding Ukraine’s counteroffensive – in particular, when and where it might occur – that the defense ministry has urged individuals to refrain from discussing potential plans.
Vice-Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Malyar stated on social media that only the president, the minister of defense, and the commander-in-chief had the authority to disclose military plans publicly.
“No one else can do more than quote them,” she wrote. Please cease asking experts questions about a counteroffensive on the air, stop writing blog posts and articles about this topic, and stop discussing publicly the military plans of our army.
