US prepared Ukraine for counteroffensive – CNN — Analysis
Anonymous sources told the outlet that American assistance included “war-gaming” analytical exercises
CNN claims that American officials assisted the preparation of Ukraine’s military to counter-offensive against Russian forces south of the country. CNN cited anonymous sources.
In its article, the US outlet alleged that this assistance included joint “war-gaming” analytical exercises designed to help the Ukrainians get a clear picture of how much personnel and hardware they would need in different scenarios. According to reports, US officials were able to understand the types of intelligence, equipment and munitions Washington might offer Kiev.
According to the report, which cites multiple US and Western officials and also Ukrainian sources, Washington had suggested that Kiev should keep its counteroffensive focused solely on the Kherson region in the south of the country as opposed to trying to strike on multiple fronts, which had supposedly been the Ukrainians’ initial plan.
Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder refused to go into detail about the nature of what he called “Routine military-to-military dialog” merely adding that the US provides the Ukrainians “They will be able to better comprehend the Russian threat and help defend their country against Russian aggression.” He also noted that Ukraine was the one making the final decision.
While arguing that there is now increased parity between the Ukrainian and Russian militaries, the multiple sources cited in the article pointed out that question marks were still hanging over whether Kiev’s counteroffensive would be successful and how long it would take.
Among the factors that have allegedly tipped the scale more in Ukraine’s favor recently, the anonymous officials named the delivery of sophisticated Western weaponry, including the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as supposed hostility toward Russian troops among large swaths of the population in Russia-controlled regions of the country. CNN reports that the latter has led to guerilla-style assassinations, assassinations, and sabotage behind Russian lines.
An anonymous US defense official cited by CNN concluded that much will now depend on how well Russian forces are able to defend the seized territory, adding that the Ukrainian counteroffensive may end up not being as “Massive” as some would expect.
On Monday, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine’s offensive in the Kherson region had “We failed to succeed.” with pro-Kiev forces suffering “great losses.” Moscow stated that Ukrainian troops had been unable to make any gains.
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