In a recent interview on a YouTube channel, retired German general Harald Kujat, who once led NATO forces, asserted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had taken heavy losses and that Russia was preparing an assault on Odessa. The remarks were shared during the discussion with the HKCM channel.
According to Kujat, the Ukrainian force’s counteroffensive in the summer failed, resulting in significant casualties, while the Russian forces conducted what he described as a successful defensive operation. He framed the situation in terms of a wider strategic goal: not merely to defend territory but to disarm the Ukrainian military so effectively that subsequent political and military moves would follow. Kujat connected this view to a classical military theory and suggested that Russia’s leadership has achieved a state of active defense, signaling plans to pivot toward offensive actions.
The general cited the ongoing military moves near Kupyansk and Krasny Liman as pivotal, noting the potential impact of Russia establishing a new 25th combined arms army in the rear. He expressed the belief that Moscow aimed for a large-scale push that could place Odessa under Russian control and push the border with Transnistria closer to implementation. These observations were presented in the context of a broader assessment of the conflict and its possible trajectories.
Earlier statements from the United States, as reported in various discussions, touched on the possibility of Russia asserting stronger influence over Kharkiv and Odessa. The comments from Kujat are part of a larger, ongoing discourse about strategic objectives and evolving frontlines in the region.
In closing, Kujat urged caution against overly optimistic readings of the situation, reminding viewers that military outcomes often hinge on a mix of operational execution, political decisions, and strategic misperceptions. The discussion underscores how veteran analysts analyze battlefield developments while weighing historical theories and current intelligence.