Ukraine's Struggle Against Russia's Advantage and Crumbling Support
Ukrainian forces are "neutralizing" Russia's numerical advantage in the ongoing counteroffensive in southeastern Ukraine by prioritizing the destruction of Russian artillery, headquarters, and logistics hubs. Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. Army Europe, stated that this strategy aims to take away Russia's advantage of mass and make it difficult for Ukrainian troops to advance. The Ukrainian offensive seeks to sever the "land bridge" connecting occupied Crimea to western Russia, which is a critical strategic success for President Vladimir Putin. Despite concerns about the slow pace of the counteroffensive, Ukrainian officials remain optimistic about their chances for success. Criticism of Ukraine's progress from the Pentagon is unwarranted, as the Ukrainian forces are operating without air superiority, which would be a prerequisite for American soldiers.