Ukraine needs to shift from attempting offensive operations against the Russian armed forces to holding positions in the second half of October due to weather conditions, media reported on Sunday, citing a Western defense official.
Weather conditions will worsen before November, with the terrain becoming too muddy, making it difficult for heavy armored equipment to move quickly, so Ukrainian forces should focus on protecting their infrastructure from Russian drones and missiles during the winter, the defense official said.
Russia began its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine launched its latest counteroffensive in early June, mostly in Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions. Three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukrainian counteroffensive had failed, with Ukraine suffering 71,000 casualties.
According to Shoigu, since the start of the counteroffensive attempt, Ukrainian forces have only managed to penetrate Russian defenses near the village of Rabotino in Zaporozhye. He noted that Ukraine had lost 7,600 pieces of military equipment.
Several Western officials also admitted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had not been successful.