Ukrainian general explains reason for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' slow progress in south

He said this in an interview with CNN.

According to Tarnavskyi, the counter-offensive was supposed to be a quick, lightning-fast movement, destroying the enemy, as well as capturing certain borders, individual objects, and targets of attack. The result should be the achievement of some goal.

"It is successful, but not as much as each of us would like," Tarnavskyi said.

In his opinion, there is a simple reason why Ukraine's counter-offensive is lagging behind. He explains it by saying that "the Russians prepared quite powerfully for this event". The general says that Russian preparations were centred around huge, carefully sown minefields, which made it difficult for Ukrainian equipment to move. This also made it a target for Russian attacks. At the same time, manual demining was not possible because it was labour-intensive and dangerous.

"They made very dense complex mining using minefields, high-explosive warheads, and the direct laying of powerful landmines, which are now located in the areas where equipment and personnel will pass," Tarnavskyi said.

He added that Ukraine plans to make progress along the southern front in the summer. At the moment, while Ukrainian troops are trying to get through the minefields, there is constant shelling from both sides.

"It’s like in boxing, we hold the opponent at arm’s length. We don’t let them get close. Why? Because close combat is a completely different thing. So, at long distances, we defeat (them) effectively," Tarnavskyi concluded.

• On 14 July, the Defence Forces in the Melitopol direction reportedly advanced 1,700 metres south and southeast over the week.