Ukraine Tells Critics to “Shut Up” as Troops Continue to Battle Russian Defenses
KYIV, Aug 31 (Reuters) – Ukraine has bluntly told critics of its counteroffensive against Russia to “shut up” after leaks from Western officials suggested that its forces were advancing too slowly. The Ukrainian government expressed frustration at the pace of the offensive, which has been ongoing for three months.
Despite recapturing more than a dozen villages, Ukraine has struggled to penetrate Russia’s main defenses. Reports from major news organizations, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, have raised concerns about Ukraine’s strategy and the concentration of its forces in less critical areas.
Moscow has claimed that Ukraine’s campaign has already failed, while Ukrainian commanders argue that their slow progress is intentional in order to degrade Russia’s defenses and logistics before launching a full-strength attack.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba confronted critics, stating, “Criticizing the slow pace of the counteroffensive equals…spitting into the face of the Ukrainian soldier who sacrifices his life every day…I would recommend all critics to shut up, come to Ukraine, and try to liberate one square centimeter by themselves.”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg defended Ukrainian commanders, emphasizing the need to trust their decisions. He praised the Ukrainians for exceeding expectations, stating, “We advise, we help, we support. But…it is the Ukrainians that have to make those decisions.”
After months of navigating through heavy minefields, Ukraine’s forces have finally reached the main Russian defensive lines. They are currently advancing between the villages of Novopokropivka and Verbove, looking for a way around anti-tank ditches and rows of concrete pyramids known as dragon’s teeth.
A breakthrough would mark the first test of Russia’s deeper defenses, which Ukraine hopes will be more vulnerable and less heavily mined than the areas their troops have traversed so far. Ukrainian commanders have reported breaching the most difficult line and expect to make quicker progress moving forward.
In addition to ground operations, Ukraine has escalated its drone attacks on targets both deep within Russia and in Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry reported destroying a new Ukrainian drone over the Bryansk region, while also claiming to have shot down missiles fired on Crimea.
Ukraine’s Western allies generally prohibit the use of weapons they supply for attacking Russian territory. However, they acknowledge Ukraine’s right to target military installations with its own weaponry.
The recent drone attacks have brought the war closer to home for many Russians, who had primarily been subjected to countrywide air strikes from Russia for the past 18 months. Russia is also dealing with the aftermath of a mutiny by Wagner, a private army that played a significant role in Russia’s winter offensive. The leader of Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his main lieutenants were killed in an air crash last week.
Despite the setbacks, Ukraine remains determined to push back against Russia’s aggression, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praising the impact of their weaponry and vowing to do more.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The situation remains tense, and its impact extends beyond the region, warranting close international attention.
Written by Peter Graff; Edited by Alex Richardson and Cynthia Osterman