The United States is not overly optimistic about Ukraine's attempts to cut off Russia's land bridge from its territory to the Crimean Peninsula.
Ukrainian forces are attempting to push from the town of Robotyne south toward the strategic city of Melitopol, where they hope to end Russia's convenient ability to move military personnel and equipment from the peninsula, which it annexed in 2014, to other occupied territories in southern Ukraine.The U.S. does not believe Ukraine’s counteroffensive will result in it retaking Melitopol, according to an intelligence community assessment reported on by the Washington Post.
"What we have said, from multiple podiums in multiple briefings, remains the same, which is we're doing everything we can to support Ukraine and its counteroffensive," Sullivan added."We're not going to handicap the outcome. We're not going to predict what's going to happen because this war has been inherently unpredictable.
"So as far as the counteroffensive, nothing ever goes as well as you had hoped it had … if we could do everything perfectly," Gen. James B. Hecker, U.S. Air Forces Europe/Africa commander, said on Friday during a Defense Writers Group event."So it started off, you know, a little slow. We’ve seen it picked up slightly since then. But you've got to remember they put mines everywhere.
Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly said they would not agree to a diplomatic ending to the war if it includes giving up territory, even as a top NATO official suggested such a possibility earlier this week.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russian central bank calls emergency meeting after ruble plunge; Britain intercepts Russian bombersRussia is equipping its new nuclear submarines with hypersonic Zircon missiles, the head of the country's largest shipbuilder said in an interview Monday.
Read more »
Ukraine's 'Sea Baby' drones target Russia's Black Sea fleet, Crimea BridgeUkraine's naval drone fleet has been targeting Russian assets around the Black Sea.
Read more »
Russian soldier jailed after trying to frame Ukraine for murder of comradeMobilized Ivan Alekseev was handed an 8-year prison sentence for fatally shooting a fellow soldier in January.
Read more »
Ukraine downs two Russian Ka-52s as Putin's aerial woes worsenThe Ka-52 has been described by military experts as one of Russia's most capable attack helicopters.
Read more »