Ukrainian forces have made “notable progress” in the southern Zaporizhzhya region in the last 72 hours as their counteroffensive, now in its third month, picks up momentum against Russian defensive lines, the White House said Friday.
Private analysts have said Ukraine’s much-touted spring offensive has made only modest gains to date, especially compared to the major advances Kyiv’s forces made last fall in reclaiming several major cities in the country’s occupied south and east. Even Ukrainian government officials have said that Russian troops used the winter months to set up formidable defensive lines that have proven hard to crack.
He warned that Moscow could react to Ukraine’s advances by launching its own counterattack, calling such a move “not beyond the realm of possibility.” The Institute for the Study of War think tank also noted that Kyiv has recently achieved “unspecified success” on the battlefield near Bakhmut and Melitopol, in the western Zaporizhzhya region. Ukraine’s chief of artillery said they have achieved parity with Russia in counter-battery capabilities.
Mr. Kirby addressed the often anonymous criticism in the press of Ukraine’s slow but steady pace against the heavily fortified Russian defenses, calling it “frankly, not helpful to the overall effort.”
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.
White House: Russia discussing arms deal with North Korea as war in Ukraine drags onRussian President Vladimir Putin has exchanged letters of support and cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as the Kremlin scrambles to find additional sources of weapons and ammunition for its war in Ukraine, the Biden administration confirmed Wednesday.
Read more »
White House says Putin, Kim Jong Un traded letters as Russia looks to buy munitionsThe White House says Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have swapped letters as Moscow looks to buy more munitions.
Read more »
Ukrainian forces make gains on Russia front line, Kyiv saysThe breakthrough, if it holds, would be a vindication for Ukraine, which has endured criticism from some of its closest partners about the way it is managing the war.
Read more »
Barack Obama is ‘driving force’ in White House amid Biden’s ‘cognitive collapse’: Newt GingrichNewt Gingrich said he believes former President Barack Obama is the “driving force” behind the Biden administration’s decisions.
Read more »
White House ramps up war room to battle expected GOP impeachment inquiryPresident Biden’s aides studied the Clinton White House’s 1998 response to impeachment as a model for a vigorous defense and making Republicans pay a political price.
Read more »
Biden apparently used pseudonym to discuss White House hire with Hunter, 2014 email showsPresident Biden apparently used a pseudonym during his vice presidency to discuss a future White House hire with Hunter Biden in a 2014 email thread.
Read more »