Ukraine pivoting to defence after Russia holds off counteroffensive, analysts say
- Putin is hopeful that Western allies will grow weary of financing Kyiv’s costly war effort, allowing Moscow’s forces to make a new offensive push
- The US Congress has broken for the holidays without a deal to send around US$61 billion to Ukraine
Ukraine’s armed forces are taking up a more defensive posture, a military analysis said on Wednesday, after their summer counteroffensive failed to achieve a breakthrough against Russia’s army and as winter weather sets in after almost 22 months of the war.
“In recent weeks, Ukraine has mobilised a concerted effort to improve field fortifications as its forces pivot to a more defensive posture along much of the front line,” the UK ministry of defence said in an assessment.
The Kremlin’s deep defences held firm against Ukraine’s months-long assault, which employed Western-supplied weapons but did not have essential air cover along the front line that extends for around 1,000km (600 miles).
Most fighting in recent weeks has focused on artillery, missile and drone strikes as mud and snow hinder troop movements.
“Russia continues local offensive options in several sectors, but individual attacks are rarely above platoon size,” the UK analysis said. “A major Russian breakthrough is unlikely and overall, the front is characterised by stasis.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is hopeful that Kyiv’s Western allies will grow weary of financing the costly Ukrainian war effort, allowing the Kremlin’s forces to make a new offensive push next year against a weaker foe.
