Ukraine counter-offensive: Can it still succeed? worldwidenews10 Ukraine war news update today

Ukraine counter-offensive: Can it still succeed? worldwidenews10 Ukraine war news update today
Ukraine counter-offensive: Can it still succeed?

Ukraine’s counter-offensive against the Russian invasion has been going on for more than two months, but it has not achieved any decisive breakthroughs. The Ukrainian forces have faced strong resistance from the Russian troops, who have fortified their positions with minefields, anti-tank missiles, and air support. However, the counter-offensive is not a failure either. The Ukrainians have managed to inflict significant damage on the Russian forces, take back some territory, and demonstrate their resilience and determination.

The main challenges for the Ukrainian counter-offensive are the following:

The Russian defences are well-prepared and hard to breach. The Russians have laid out dense minefields that slow down the Ukrainian advance and make them vulnerable to counterattacks. The Ukrainians have to clear the mines manually or with limited mine-clearing vehicles, which are often targeted by the Russians12. The Russians also have anti-tank missiles that can destroy Ukrainian tanks from long distances or from the air1. The Ukrainians have to rely on artillery and air defence systems to neutralize these threats, but they are not always effective or available.
The Russian air force has a clear advantage over the Ukrainian air force. The Russians have deployed advanced fighter jets, bombers, and drones that can strike Ukrainian targets with precision and impunity. The Ukrainians have only a few outdated planes that are no match for the Russian air power. The Ukrainians have to rely on ground-based air defence systems, such as the Buk-M3 and the S-300V4, to shoot down Russian aircrafts, but they are not always enough to cover the entire frontline or to counter the Russian electronic warfare capabilities34.
The Russian navy has a clear advantage over the Ukrainian navy. The Russians have deployed warships, submarines, and cruise missiles that can strike Ukrainian ports and coastal infrastructure. The Ukrainians have only a few patrol boats and corvettes that are no match for the Russian naval power. The Ukrainians have to rely on coastal defence systems, such as the Neptune and the Bastion, to deter or destroy Russian vessels, but they are not always enough to protect the entire coastline or to counter the Russian stealth technology56.
The main advantages for the Ukrainian counter-offensive are the following:

The Ukrainian forces are motivated and determined to defend their sovereignty and territorial integr
In the 18 months since Russia invaded, Ukraine has mostly been on the defensive, preventing Moscow's forces from seizing more territory.

But this summer, Ukraine - with the help of billions of pounds of Western military equipment - has gone on the attack, attempting to expel the Russians from land they previously captured in the east and south of the country.

Two months into this counter-offensive, and with time of the essence before the onset of winter, are Ukrainian troops making any real progress?

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