Ukraine is delaying its long-awaited counter-offensive against The President of Russia said that the Russian occupation forces lacked sufficient Western weapons to succeed without suffering heavy losses on Thursday.
statements by Volodymyr Zelensky, in Interview with European broadcasters broadcast shortly before Britain announced that it had sent Ukraine air-launched cruise missiles that would allow Pilots extend their influence farther than any other weapon in they arsenall locations deep behind front line.
Ukrainian counterattack against Russia more From 14 months invasion Warmer since expected weather improved battlefield Zelensky said possible This ‘we can go forward And to be successful.”
“But we will lose a lot of people. I think this is unacceptable in conducted interview in Kyiv with public service announcers who They are members of Eurovision News, including the BBC.
“So we are need awaiting / awaiting. We are still need little bit more time,” Zelensky was quoted as saying. “V terms of equipmentNot everything has arrived yet.”
Ukrainian analysts and officials have spoken for Months in the next Ukrainian counter-strike. It could be Zelensky’s remarks designed To keep the Russians guessing, with more Uncertainty because both sides struggling To secure enough ammunition.
Ukrainian forces receive Western training, as well as advanced weapons along with their gear up for Such an assault.
Later on Thursday, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told lawmakers that it had sent Ukraine Storm Shadow missiles, a conventional weapon. with a range of more From 250 km (150 miles). On the contrary, the truckHIMARS launchers supplied by Washington feature GPS capable guided missiles of hit targets up to 80 kilometers (50 miles).
Wallace said cruise missiles “are coming in now or will come in in The country itself,” but he did not say how Much saved.
The Kremlin said earlier that if Britain provided these missiles, it would require “an adequate response on our part.” military. “
the air-Launched missiles will allow targeting Ukrainian forces locations Like Crimea, which is occupied by Russia. Kyiv He vowed not to use who are they attack Russia itself, the UK media mentioned. The United States and its allies have expressed concern that enabling Ukraine to do so use their weapons to hit Targets inside Russia could provoke the Kremlin to escalate the war.
British delivery adds to the tanks and-range Western artillery accuracy countries Owns already Supplied Ukraine.
Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges A former Leader of U.S. military in Europe, she tweeted: “Well done in the UK!”
“This will give Ukraine’s ability to make Crimea untenable for Russian forces” and asks Russia to re-evaluate the sites of Hodges said its fleet is in the Black Sea.
Siddharth Kaushal, A research Storm Shadow missiles could do that, said a colleague at London’s Royal United Services Institute allow Ukraine to strike Russian ships in Port based on the Black Sea of Sevastopol, from which Russian Kalibr missiles were used to target important Ukrainian infrastructure.
Patrick Bury, senior lecturer in Security at the university of Bath was not surprised by Zelensky’s comments about delaying the spring campaign.
“If you are a Zelenskyy customer, you do everything you can to do sure She gets it all for you need before launching a program offensive,” He said.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it started in the next Husband of weeks, depending on mud. … like of last The week was still one of Wetter springs over there in years. … that it just Not favorable,” Perry added.
Ukrainian military Wednesday claimed that its forces had advanced up to 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) around the heavily contested eastern region city of Bakhmut raised speculation that a counterattack was underway.
Spokesman for Serhii Cherevatyi for The Eastern Ukrainian Operational Command told The Associated Press that the fighting and forward movement was notgrand Counterattack, however harbinger Show that there will be more such attacks in the future. “
But Yevgeny Prigozhin head of Russia private military force Wagner who led Moscow battle for Bakhmut claimed Kyiv was counter-attackingin full swinging,” with Ukrainian forces are advancing.on Wings “about city.
“Unfortunately, in Some regions do it successfully, Prigozhin said.
Kremlin forces are deeply entrenched in eastern Ukraine with layers defensive It is said about lines up to a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles). Kyiv is likely to be a counterattack face minefields, anti-tank trenches and other obstacles.
Russia is ‘acting slowly’ in Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told ATV Bosnian Serb Ukraine because it wants to preserve the infrastructure and save lives there. on Wednesday night.
Moscow has repeatedly made it clear that it does not exist of progress on the battlefield as an effort to protect civilians, but these claims have been proven false with Frequent attacks on civil buildings.
Zelensky said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants it reduce The war on the so-called frozen conflict, with no side able to expel the other, according to the BBC. exclude out Land delivery to Russia in Back for Peace agreement.
The Kremlin wants Kyiv To recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea and recognition of the illegal September annexation of provinces of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhia. Ukraine rejected the demands and ruled out No talks with Russia until it withdraws its forces from all occupied lands.
Military analysts warn that Putin is hoping in the West costly support for Kyiv You will quarrel.
Ukraine’s Western allies have sent the country 65 billion euros ($70 billion). in military aid and with No peace talks on Horizon, the coalition is preparing up to send more.
The European Union is foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell said that delaying the counter-attack was tantamount sign on the west step up that it military support for Ukraine.
“Sure they are need more preparation,” Burrell said in a defense and security conference in Brussels. “they need more arms. they need with each other more capacity, and it is us who must be submitted for that.”
Russia also seek more Weapons and ammunition. The US ambassador to South Africa accused the country Thursday of Providing weapons and ammunition to Russia via Cargo ship secretly docked at a naval base near Cape Town in December. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said an investigation was underway.
Over the winter, the conflict in Ukraine bogged down down in war of drain with Both sides are highly dependent on They bomb each other’s positions.
The counterattack is a big challenge that the Ukrainian requires military to coordinate widely range of Including the provision of ammunition, food, medical supplies and spare parts, along the odds extended whatever. The front line extends more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles).
Zelenskyy was making rounds of Western capitals to seek more support.
as part of This effort, Pope Francis could meet Zelensky in the Vatican this weekend, one of the Vatican official He said on Thursday.
Francis recently revealed that A.J secret Hello “missionBut he did not provide details. Zelensky was expected in Germany starts on Saturday evening. Italian media, citing unknown sources, reported that Zelensky might be in Rome earlier that day to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Pope.
Vatican official said the audience with the pope on Saturday “probability”. the official Wire on condition of Anonymity because the visit has not been confirmed.
Russia latest long-range Kill bombs at least six Another 13 civilians were wounded in the Ukrainian presidency office He said.
In other developments, a Ukrainian drone damaged a fuel tank across the Russian border in Bryansk region governor reported on cable. In Ukraine occupied by Russia city of Meanwhile, Melitopol reported an assassination attempt to the Russian-appointed authorities against to rule.
Did not inform the authorities how the attack It happened, saying only that the judge was not wounded, but two wounded of were his guards. Ukraine has not comment on also attack.
