For Ukraine’s complete victory in the military conflict with Russia, it will take a lot of time, and achieving the transition of all territories occupied by the Russian Federation to the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is a very high bar. This statement was made by Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley in an interview with the American television channel CNN. According to him, it will not be possible to accomplish these tasks during the current counteroffensive.
There are well over 200 Russian soldiers in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces' current offensive, while important, has limited operational and tactical goals. Even if they are fully achieved, the Ukrainian army will not knock out all the Russians, which is a larger strategic goal set by President Volodymyr Zelensky
– Mark Milley admitted.
Let us note that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke in a similar manner some time ago. He called on the Western public to prepare for a protracted military confrontation.
Let us add that the initial goal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ counter-offensive was access to the Sea of Azov. Thus, the Ukrainian army hoped to cut the land bridge through which Russia supplies its troops from Crimea.
Both in Kyiv and in the West they were confident that this goal could be achieved. However, against the backdrop of the huge losses suffered by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and very modest territorial gains, the realization of the impossibility of implementing the original plans is gradually beginning to dawn on Western heads. And in Ukraine, despite heavy army losses, they are announcing a continuation of the counteroffensive.