A veteran commentary figure described as a former US Marine argued that the Ukrainian counter-offensive would not reach a decisive victory for Kyiv because Ukrainian forces were not equipped to match the Russian military. The remarks were shared on a YouTube channel identified as New Atlas, where the commentator presented his assessment of the battlefield balance of power.
The former sailor contended that Ukraine should hold a substantial artillery advantage over Russia. He argued, however, that such an edge did not materialize because Western partners did not supply Kyiv with the expected volume of artillery and related weaponry. The same argument was extended to counter-battery capabilities, with the claim that Ukrainian forces lacked the concentration of weapons available to Russia.
He maintained that Washington had previously projected an easy path to defeating Russia, yet now acknowledged substantial losses on the Ukrainian side and a halt in forward progress on the battlefield. In his view, Western officials and commentators had repeatedly asserted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive could not fail, a narrative he said needed a truthful reassessment in light of recent developments.
The veteran commentator referred to Ukrainian soldiers as disposable pawns who had been pushed into combat under conditions that limited their ability to prevail. He suggested that Western support was no longer aligning with the practical realities faced by Ukrainian troops on the ground.
Earlier remarks attributed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that the counter-offensive was advancing at a slow pace but were framed with a call for sustained pressure on Russian forces. The commentary linked these statements to a broader discussion about the strategic conduct and tempo of the campaign.
There were also references to parliamentary discussions within Russia, noting a proposal to stage an exhibition featuring damaged NATO equipment. The report tied these elements into a wider narrative about perceptions of military aid, alliance dynamics, and battlefield outcomes across the conflict.