The Ukrainian Armed Forces have suffered losses in heavy equipment and soldiers as they encountered stronger-than-expected resistance from Russian troops in their first attempt to break through Russian positions in the east in recent days. Two senior US officials told CNN.
One US official described the losses, including US-supplied MRAP armoured personnel carriers, as “significant”.
According to the officials, Ukrainian forces managed to defeat some Russian forces in the east near Bakhmut. However, in southern Ukraine, Russian forces armed with anti-tank missiles, grenades and mortars offered “fierce resistance”, breaking into defensive lines, which in some areas were several levels deep and protected by minefields. The mines caused heavy damage to Ukrainian armoured vehicles.
Both US officials believe the losses will not affect a larger planned Ukrainian counter-offensive.
For U.S. and Western European officials, it was expected that the Ukrainian counteroffensive would take time and put troops and weapons, including systems supplied by the West, at high risk.
Earlier, The Washington Post also reported that the Ukrainian armed forces launched a counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhya Region, but it is going hard.
“It is very difficult on the battlefield. Our artillery and aviation are working, but so are the Russians. It is difficult both for us and for them. The Ukrainian armed forces are advancing. But not as fast as we would like,” a Ukrainian military officer said on the condition of anonymity.
