Russia: Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin announced that Ukrainian troops have initiated a long-anticipated counteroffensive in Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties as they attempt to break through Moscow’s defense lines. Speaking in Sochi during a meeting with leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union,

Mr. Putin stated that the offensive was underway, citing the deployment of strategic reserves by the Ukrainian army. However, the Russian President emphasized that Ukrainian forces had not achieved their objectives in any combat zone, highlighting the substantial losses they were suffering without providing specific details.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington, DC-based think tank, asserted that multiple indicators suggested the commencement of Ukraine’s counteroffensive. The ISW also cautioned that the initial phase of the operation could incur the highest Ukrainian casualties as they attempt to push through Russian defenses.

The ISW further noted that Putin’s direct acknowledgment of Ukraine’s counteroffensive marked a significant departure from his usual distant approach to discussing battlefield developments. Additionally, the Kremlin has reportedly implemented a new information strategy, emphasizing the “Russian fight against Western-provided weapon systems” in Ukraine’s counteroffensive.

The ISW rejected Russian claims that the counteroffensive had been thwarted, emphasizing that such assertions, amplified by pro-Moscow military bloggers focusing on destroyed or damaged Western military equipment provided to Ukraine, were premature.

The ISW’s latest report highlighted Ukrainian officials’ acknowledgement that equipment losses were expected during the counteroffensive, noting that the initial phase of the operation would likely be the most challenging and costly in terms of both human lives and destroyed equipment.

According to the ISW, the penetration phase of a mechanized offensive has long been recognized as the most perilous and expensive, and it may take some time to determine its success or failure.

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