Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces will persist in the coming months, regardless of adverse weather conditions that make fighting more challenging, according to Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. The counteroffensive has had some success in the south, with Ukrainian forces retaking several villages in the past three months.
Ukraine’s armed forces are making gradual progress against Russia’s defensive line east of the town of Robotyne, as reported by the British Defense Ministry. However, the operation has been slower than expected due to obstacles such as extensive minefields and well-entrenched Russian forces.
Budanov’s statement suggests that Ukraine intends to maintain its push even during harsher weather conditions later in the year. The slower progress of the counteroffensive has raised concerns among Kyiv’s supporters about maintaining Western support and the necessary military aid to sustain the effort.
Ukraine’s advances in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, particularly around the villages of Robotyne and Verbove, are seen as critical to a plan aiming to split Russia’s occupying forces in half in the south, though this goal remains distant.
The counteroffensive has faced challenges, including the presence of Russian mines and small “kamikaze” drones, which have impeded progress. Ukrainian drones have also been reportedly shot down by Russian air defense systems.
In addition, recent incidents involving drone fragments found in Romania suggest airspace violations, posing security risks for NATO, a member of which Romania is. The U.S. State Department has announced plans to rotate additional F-16 fighter jets to bolster NATO’s air policing mission in Romania.
At the G20 summit, world leaders adopted a consensus declaration that called on all states to refrain from using force to seize territory but did not explicitly condemn Russia for its war on Ukraine. The declaration noted differing views on the situation in Ukraine and emphasized the need for immediate and unimpeded deliveries of essential goods between Russia and Ukraine for global food and energy security. The absence of explicit condemnation of Russia drew criticism from Ukraine’s government.
The summit took place in New Delhi, with the top leaders of Russia and China represented by their envoys.
By FCCT Editorial Team
, an independent military force, and allied militias in Sudan raped several dozen women and girls in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, and those fleeing to Chad between late April and late June 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. The assailants appear to have targeted people because of their Massalit ethnicity and, in some cases, because they were known activists.){kind=link}