Has Russia begun a major summer counteroffensive in Ukraine?

According to Telegram channels monitoring the war in Ukraine, there are many signs that the Russian Army has launched a large-scale counteroffensive campaign in the summer of 2024.

On the Avdeevka front, Russian forces are advancing rapidly and further west, after successfully capturing Novokalynove and Keramik. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have not found a way to stop the Russian advance.

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Russia could launch a major counterattack before US military aid packages reach Ukraine. Photo: Getty

In Krasnohorivka, the Russian Army is also maintaining overwhelming superiority through large-scale, powerful firepower strikes using FAB bombs and artillery.

Meanwhile, at the Kupyansk front, after a long period of inactivity, the Russian Army has made offensive moves after months of cooling down. The first step of the Russian side was to gain control of the village of Kislyvka and is developing probing attacks in many different directions.

According to Western predictions, Russia is preparing for a large-scale military operation with the main attack directions aimed at Kharkov or Odessa with the aim of creating a security buffer zone. This is all the more obvious when Russia must gain the upper hand before US military aid packages arrive and prolong the war.

Meanwhile, on his personal Telegram channel, Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky announced that AFU needs at least 7 Patriot air defense missile systems.

“ We urgently need Patriot complexes and missiles for them,” the Ukrainian leader stressed, noting that Kiev’s partners have such weapons. Volodymir Zelensky called on allies not to waste time and to give “a decisive signal at a crucial moment.”

In March 2024, the Ukrainian President announced that 5-7 Patriot systems would help protect the country's industrial infrastructure: " They will unlock the sky and create steps forward."

In a speech to CNN, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba said he was criticized for not having a plan B in case military aid from the West did not come to the country.

Ukraine has asked its allies to provide more Patriot missile systems to defend against Russian air attacks. Photo: Defense News

Dmitro Kuleba has received criticism for not having contingency plans; and commented on the US Congress’ decision to approve a new aid package for Ukraine. “ It’s better for something good to happen late than not at all.”

The Ukrainian diplomat assessed that Kiev has no plan B in case the US completely stops aid: “ I always say that we don’t need a plan B because plan A is about solutions, not half-baked solutions. I told the US Secretary of State that I don’t have any plan B, plan A must be implemented . ”

Regarding the issue of aid to Ukraine, military expert, Associate Professor of the Department of Political Analysis and Social Psychology of Plekhanov University of Economics, Oleg Glazunov assessed that the delay in providing military aid has aggravated the situation on the front.

“ The commander of the army in Ukraine is a soldier, he understands that without aid, Ukraine is losing. Aid will only delay the end of the conflict a little. There will be more damage and casualties. I think he has realized that resistance is useless; nothing can change the situation, ” said military expert Oleg Glazunov.

The situation on the front is deteriorating and has an escalating trend, said AFU Commander-in-Chief General Alexander Syrsky. He told Kiev's allies at a meeting of the Ramstein Contact Group on Ukraine's defense capabilities.

General Syrsky added that the AFU needs ammunition, weapons and military equipment for the next offensive and to defend critical infrastructure such as power plants against air strikes from Russia.

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