The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, General Mark Milley, stated that the Ukrainian counteroffensive, although showing progress, is advancing "bloody, long, and slow."
In an interview with Al-Mamlaka channel (Jordan), he noted that Ukrainian forces have encountered significant Russian forces that have had many months to prepare minefields, tank ditches, and tank obstacles known as the "dragon's teeth" as part of a highly complex defensive preparedness.
"Again, it's bloody, long, and slow. And we predicted this several months ago," Milley added.
According to him, "the Ukrainians still have significant combat power, this is not the end," and "it is still too early to say whether it was successful or not."
"Obviously, as of today, it has had partial success. The speed at which the offensive is progressing has been slower than what planners anticipated," Milley said.
At the same time, the general emphasized that Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers were intensively trained in various parts of Europe in skills such as "command and control of offensive formations, joint maneuvering, and overcoming complex obstacles that will enhance their capabilities." However, he again cautioned against expectations of a complete military victory for Ukraine in the near future. Milley explained that a political solution will bring an end to the hostilities.
"This is an ongoing offensive, I think it's been going on for about eight weeks or so. It's very bloody, slow, with a high number of casualties, and very complex. So, to militarily defeat 200 or 300 thousand Russian soldiers would be very difficult and challenging. Another way out of this situation is through negotiations, and perhaps that will also happen," summarized the American general.
