Ukraine's Counteroffensive Is Slowing As The Russians Call In More Air Power
Initial Ukrainian advances were the easiest
The irony baked into a successful counteroffensive is that, at a point, it can become self-defeating as the enemy falls back to a shorter defensive line with more robust logistics and fire support.
That’s what’s happening in southeastern Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts as Ukraine’s local counteroffensive extends into its second week. After the Ukrainian cleared the most forward Russian troops from the wide gray zone—in effect, a disputed no-man’s-land—the Russians consolidated their defense at the edge of territory they more firmly control.
After clearing dozen of square miles east of the town of Pokrovs’ke, a pair of Ukrainian battlegroups—one each drawn from the airborne and assault force—are still advancing. But more slowly and at higher cost.
“In the Pokrovs'ke direction, Ukrainian forces continued their counteroffensive, making some additional gains amid fierce Russian resistance,” AMK Mapping noted Wednesday.
