A statement that refutes an assessment recently issued by the American intelligence services according to which the Ukrainian counter-offensive would fail to achieve one of its main objectives.
The Ukrainian counter-offensive will achieve all of its objectives. It is the American national security adviser Jake Sullivan and the spokesman of the Pentagon Patrick Ryder who assure him. A forecast that refutes an assessment recently issued by the American intelligence services.
According to them, the Ukrainian counter-offensive would fail to achieve one of its main objectives, namely to retake the city of Melitopol (Zaporizhya oblast), occupied by Russia, by the end of the year.
Ukrainian forces are trying to reach Metilopol but are currently hampered in their advance in the vicinity of Robotyne (located 80 km northeast of Metilopol), according to US intelligence. The latter estimate that the Ukrainian army will remain blocked “several kilometers from Metilopol”.
Ukrainian army slowed down by mines and trenches
This pessimistic forecast of the American intelligence services is explained by the Ukrainian difficulties in thwarting the defense system put in place by Russia. The Kremlin army is said to have installed minefields and dug trenches that Ukrainian troops would struggle to circumvent.
Melitopol represents a strategic stake for Moscow and therefore for the army of Volodymyr Zelensky. Located at the crossroads of two main highways and a railway line, the city is a pivotal point used by the Russians to move their troops and equipment from Crimea to other occupied territories in southern Ukraine.
Source : L’independent
