While many fret about the “slowness” of the Ukrainian campaign, all military operations consist of pulses and pauses and there is much we do not see in this war. It is important to remain patient, writes Mick Ryan.
The hardest part is on the troops fighting for Ukraine, but slowly grinding down Russia with steady progress is not a bad outcome. The question is can they keep their troops safe and alive? And for how long before the country runs out of qualified soldiers and people willing to fight?
The question is can they keep their troops safe and alive?
That’s what they are doing while progressing. What we see as slow grinding is actually fast progress with units going on 36-hour offensives.
If AFU tries to make the current counteroffensive as swift as the Kharkhiv operation, then the loss of lives & equipment will be catastrophic and the war is lost, because the Russians have people (thanks to mobilization) and time to set up strong defenses. Both President Zelensky and C-in-C Zaluzhnyi have reacted sharply to demands for a swifter pace.
The world and Ukraine’sallies who keep often keep dilly-dallying around with promised equipment and training will have to just be patient, keep faith, and do everything they can to provide AFU with whatever they need.
ETA: typos.