The Ukrainian counteroffensive is facing the most complex tactical challenge imaginable – overcoming the stationary defensive structures that the Russians have built. Therefore, quick results should not be expected. Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Douglas Lute discussed this in an interview with Radio Liberty.
"Imagine successive belts of minefields, obstacles including physical ones like trenches and tank traps, lines of direct fire that are both controlled and observed, as well as artillery systems supported by Russian attack helicopters," Lute noted.
He emphasized that this is an extremely challenging tactical task, and it's unlikely that the U.S. military would undertake such an operation under the current conditions in which the Ukrainians are operating.
"If the American forces were in this situation, they would only undertake tasks under the conditions of artillery superiority, which the Ukrainians do not have. And if they had air superiority, meaning control of the airspace over the battlefield, which the Ukrainians also lack, we should not unrealistically expect the Ukrainians to achieve something on the battlefield that American units wouldn't even attempt," emphasized the U.S. general.
He noted that realistic expectations are needed, in the sense that progress will be slow, and there will be casualties and losses on the Ukrainian side since they lack all the necessary capabilities. He specifically pointed out that the Ukrainians do not have sufficient resources for demining, and penetration through minefields is happening much slower than expected.
"Therefore, I think a dose of realism is needed here in terms of what the Ukrainians are trying to achieve and how quickly they can succeed," stressed the American general.
