Reserve Colonel, a noted figure in Russia’s military leadership, Alexander Nikishin spoke with journalists about the likely paths a Ukrainian counteroffensive could take. He described the operation as something that may unfold across multiple fronts at once, rather than being confined to a single axis. In his view, the Ukrainian forces would be compelled to distribute their efforts across several directions, complicating any attempt to predict the tempo and focus of the counterattack. This assessment underscores a belief that Kyiv would need to choreograph a complex and synchronized effort to achieve its aims, a task Nikishin suggested would be fraught with strategic hurdles.
UR A.RU reported that according to the commander, the Ukrainian army appears unable to consolidate the so‑called “shock fist” of the Russian Armed Forces into a single, overwhelming surge. The contention is that Ukrainian capabilities are increasingly constrained to limited fires, air sorties, and missile strikes, while the broader operational reach required for a decisive push is hampered by shortages in equipment and ammunition. This portrayal emphasizes a mismatch between the desired tempo of a large, concentrated strike and the practical limits on Kyiv’s material and logistical resources.
Nikishin stressed that a counterattack of the scale Kyiv would need to attempt would be a highly complex maneuver. He pointed to gaps in the number of capable fighter aircraft, insufficient stocks of shells, and the challenge of delivering those munitions deep into contested areas. The implication is that without a significant uptick in airpower and supply lines, sustaining a meaningful offensive at operational depth would be difficult for Ukrainian forces, potentially limiting the effectiveness of any large-scale push.
According to the Russian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation possess extensive capabilities beyond conventional ground operations. The commander mentioned broad opportunities for military space reconnaissance and electronic measures designed to suppress enemy action. Such capabilities, if they exist at the described scale, would, in his view, create substantive obstacles to Ukrainian advances by disrupting coordination, sensing, and targeting from a distance, thereby reducing the enemy’s ability to mass and maneuver effectively.
Judge Roman Nasonov, cited by URA.RU, noted Kyiv’s preparation of a sizable contingent for a counterattack—up to eighty thousand fighters. This figure, if accurate, would reflect a substantial commitment of manpower and the potential for a sustained offensive. The assertion contributes to the overall narrative of a high-stakes, multi‑phase conflict where the balance of resources, timing, and strategic intent is continually under revision as new developments emerge. [Source: URA.RU]