Ukraine’s Counteroffensive: Can It Match Russian Forces and Breakthrough?

Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces is making limited progress, raising concerns among Ukraine’s backers about its ability to match Russia’s supply of arms and munitions. Ukrainian forces have been using artillery and missiles to weaken Russian defenses and sending small teams of sappers to clear minefields, but the slow pace of progress has led to doubts about whether Ukraine can deliver a powerful blow. Ukrainian military leaders argue that they must avoid unnecessary losses against a larger adversary and are focusing on low-profile advances involving smaller groups of troops. Western officials and analysts believe that Ukraine should employ “combined arms” operations involving coordinated maneuvers of tanks, infantry, artillery, and air power to penetrate Russian lines. However, Ukraine’s current approach aims to create vulnerabilities in Russian lines rather than conducting large-scale operations.