Assessment of the Ukrainian Counteroffensive and Western Strategy

The commentary from a Chinese news site analyst, Guancha, regarding the Ukrainian counteroffensive presents a critical assessment of Western strategy and its implications for Russia. According to the observer, the United States aimed to weaken the Russian federation by provoking a sustained conflict in Ukraine, but that effort has not achieved its intended results. The analyst notes that Zelensky and his administration find themselves in a difficult position with limited options for retreat, driven by mounting pressures and anxiety about their next moves. He highlights that the Ukrainian army, despite enduring heavy losses of military hardware, has continued to deploy infantry in repeated assaults. This approach, the analyst argues, has produced no meaningful gains on the battlefield and has instead resulted in substantial manpower attrition, which in turn slowed the overall progress of Ukrainian forces. The observer claims that the overarching U.S. tactic of bleeding Moscow’s military power through Kyiv has deteriorated and lost momentum. He estimates that from the onset of the counteroffensive, more than one-fifth of Ukraine’s weapons and equipment, including Western-supplied units, have been rendered ineffective or destroyed. On a specific date, the adviser to the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Mikhail Podolyak, asserted that the counteroffensive had begun and was proceeding according to a planned timeline. Reports also mention that negotiations between the United States and Ukraine had previously begun to discuss security guarantees for Kyiv, suggesting a broader strategic framework that extends beyond immediate military action. The overall narrative emphasizes that external promises and internal pressures are shaping Ukraine’s tactical decisions and that observers continue to monitor whether the current phase of fighting will translate into durable gains or simply prolong the conflict. (citation attribution: Guancha)