Espreso. Global

AFU counteroffensive may begin in May: there are two scenarios 

16 March, 2023 Thursday
11:59

Kyiv has not yet decided on the counteroffensive strategy, which may begin in May, but it has two most likely options

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This is reported by Politico.

It is noted that hundreds of Western tanks and armored vehicles, shells, bridge layers — everything needed for a counteroffensive is heading to Ukraine. 600 AFU soldiers have just completed five weeks of training, having improved their skills in shooting, medicine, and driving American-made Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armored personnel carriers. Now the second batch of soldiers is undergoing training.

The publication also writes that, behind closed doors, US officials insist that Kyiv save artillery ammunition, but still the opinion prevails among officials that Ukraine should not be told how to fight. 

The counteroffensive may start as early as May. Kyiv has not yet decided on a strategy, the publication notes, but it is considering two options. The first is to move south through Kherson Oblast to Crimea, and the second is to move east from its northern position and then south, cutting the Russian land bridge.

The first option is unrealistic, officials say, because Russia is entrenched in its defenses on the east bank of the Dnipro River and Ukraine does not have the manpower for a successful amphibious operation against such defenses. The second option is more likely, officials say.

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