First stages of Ukrainian counteroffensive can be expected in coming days – military expert Samus

He expressed this opinion in the Verdict with Serhiy Rudenko program on Espreso TV channel.

"We can expect the first stages of the counteroffensive operation in the coming days, in the next one to two weeks. These stages will not be ground-based, they will involve high-precision weapons. Now we are expecting more long-range weapons, because the Russian forces are trying to keep their command and control elements, ammunition depots further than 80 kilometers from the front line, avoiding HIMARS strikes," explained Samus.

The military expert also added that if Ukraine receives GLSDBs, 150 km long-range missiles that can also be used with HIMARS, it will dramatically change the situation.

"With long-range weapons, the Ukrainian Armed Forces would be able to methodically target command posts, ammunition depots, any intelligence control systems, and enemy personnel concentrations. 150 kilometers is the entire front line, except Crimea. The first stage would have taken some time and allowed for the completion of the formation of the military units. In addition, the weather would have changed. This precision element of the operation could be carried out even before the conditions are in place for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to be equipped and ready with Western weapons. The ground stage will be conducted when certain conditions are created," emphasized Samus.

• Ukraine's Land Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that the defense of Bakhmut is necessary to accumulate reserves and launch a spring counteroffensive, which is "just around the corner"

• On Tuesday, March 14, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a regular meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff on the situation at the front, in particular in Bakhmut