New York Times: Ukraine lost up to 20 percent of equipment in counteroffensive’s first weeks
The New York Times reports that Ukraine lost as much as 20 percent of the equipment it sent into battle during the first two weeks of the summer counteroffensive campaign. More recently, losses have slowed to around 10 percent, though the Times says this is because the counteroffensive’s pace, too, has slowed.
Ukraine has retaken only five miles in the southern part of the country. The plan for the counteroffensive remains that Ukraine’s Armed Forces will take 60 miles of territory, reaching the Black Sea and cutting off part of Russia’s forces.
Soldiers for Ukraine spoke to The New York Times about losing armored American equipment, including Bradley Fighting Vehicles, to Russian minefields during their advance toward Russian front lines.
Military experts have said that the first 15 miles of the counteroffensive campaign would be the most difficult for Ukraine. Some told the publication that it’s still too early to draw conclusions about the success of the counteroffensive. Nonetheless, Ukraine’s top command “expressed frustration that Ukraine is fighting without Western F-16 warplanes.”
The U.S. has recently agreed to allow Ukraine’s pilots to train on the planes, but they won’t be available for battle for several months.
