Ukraine’s Offensives: Tactical Victories Can Contribute to Strategic Defeat

Ukraine has committed what is left of its best troops and equipment to multiple and expensive offensives, both around Kherson and in Kharkov, and rumors of offensives being prepared elsewhere.

• The Kherson offensive has failed, costing Ukraine multiple brigades’ worth of men and equipment with little territorial gain;
• The Kharkov offensive has cost Ukraine a large amount of men and equipment with significant territorial gains but failed to eliminate the Russian forces holding the region;
• Russia’s decision to withdraw from Kharkov conserves men and equipment for fighting later on and to be determined on Russian terms;
• There will be a significant strategic cost for Ukraine’s tactical gains, some of which are already being paid along the line of contact where Ukrainian lines have been weakened as Kiev cobbled together these offensive forces;
• There are significant parallels between this Ukrainian push and Germany’s Ardennes Offensive in 1944;
• Russia is targeting Ukrainian infrastructure including communication towers and power plants for the first time amid its military operations, signalling a possible escalation; References: Washington Post

• Wounded Ukrainian soldiers reveal steep toll of Kherson offensive: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/... Atlantic Council
• The Ukrainian military must reorganize to defeat Russia: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs... British Army Documentaries (YouTube)
• The Ardennes Offensive Part 1 • A Calculated Risk: https://youtu.be/ArtVmlqEeho British Army Documentaries (YouTube)
• The Ardennes Offensive Part 2 • Hold at All Cost: https://youtu.be/QS•f8xLlH_o British Army Documentaries (YouTube)
• The Ardennes Offensive Part 3 • Forget Bastogne, head for the Meuse: https://youtu.be/6bz3ZI2OA78