Without foreign weapons, it is difficult to drive Russian forces out of southern Ukraine - Serhiy Zgurets

Official desire of authorities to drive Russian forces out of south

It is not the first time that the plan of the Ukrainian offensive has been announced and declared through a foreign publication. In parallel with Defense Minister Reznikov's statement, there is an appeal by Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, who called on residents of the occupied areas of Kherson region and Zaporizhzhya to evacuate quickly, because the Ukrainian Armed Forces will de-occupy these areas and huge battles are expected.

In other words, Ukrainian officials veiledly announce that a major offensive will soon begin in the Kherson direction. If you pay attention to the summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, there is no specific information about the offensive in the direction of Kherson. It is primarily about tactical actions on both sides aimed at gaining tactical advantages.

During the last weeks, the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated from the occupiers the settlements of Potemkino, Zeleny Gayi, Barvinok in the Kherson region - this is in the direction of Chornobayivka, Myrne and Ivanovka. It is worth noting that the village of Ivanivka is mentioned not for the first time, combat operations are carried out in local areas.

Kherson region is difficult from the point of view of conducting hostilities, aviation and artillery are actively used in this direction.  With the help of a pair of attack aircraft, the Ukrainian military hit the observation and command posts of the occupiers in the Kherson region.

Ukrainian troops continue to gradually push out Russian forces

Russian forces are trying to increase the number of personnel and equipment in those directions where the offensive of the Armed Forces is possible. It was reported that Russian forces were bringing equipment directly to Kherson.

It is worth emphasizing that the Kherson direction looks tempting enough for an offensive. The length of the front reaches 250 km, 13 Russian battalion-tactical groups operate with sufficiently large gaps to conduct such a defense.

On the right bank of the Dnieper, there are also logistical traps - 2 bridges - near Nova Kakhovka and Antonivsky, with which the enemy supplies his units. There is a temptation to form 2 strike groups from fresh brigades: one should go to Kherson and hold the city, the other should operate from Zaporizhzhya to Melitopol. But these are conclusions drawn from the map, without taking into account the risks to the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.

To carry out a large-scale offensive, you need to have enough forces and means.  Reznikov talks about the need for a million-strong group. Currently, about 700,000 personnel are mobilized in the Armed Forces. It is necessary to get another 300,000 soldiers. Although, on the other hand, it is not the number of defenders that determines the course of hostilities, but the training of units, coordination, equipment, and a smart and technological plan for conducting hostilities.

Need for foreign weapons

Currently, our Armed Forces do not have the capabilities and prerequisites to carry out large-scale offensive actions in the South in a short period of time. We are attached to the situation that is developing in Donbas, the stabilization of the frontline.

In this way, preparation for the offensive is possible only taking into account the receipt of foreign aid in October-September. The political desire expressed by Defense Minister Reznikov regarding the de-occupation of the south of Ukraine must rely on specific opportunities.

In any case, the General Staff of the Armed Forces will make the correct conclusions when to start an offensive operation. Of course, it will be done on time, confidentially and without announcement in foreign publications.