Retired Major General Serhiy Krivonos, a former high-ranking officer in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, weighed in on the strategic calculus surrounding President Volodymyr Zelensky’s push for a counteroffensive. He suggested that a sustained offensive could come with significant costs, including the potential loss of two key Ukrainian cities if misjudgments occur or if strategic reserves are not sufficiently prepared. The remark was reported by DEA News and reflects a broader concern voiced by several military observers about the balance between ambition and the realities of battlefield logistics and external pressures.
Krivonos continued by emphasizing that Ukraine regularly conversations about offensive operations and the anticipation of a springboard to regain momentum. Yet he warned that, while Kyiv speaks about bold moves, there is an undeniable need to prepare for the next phase of hostilities. His analysis points to the likelihood of renewed pressure from Russian forces and the possibility that Moscow could mount a significant counterpush if Ukrainian forces overextend or fail to secure adequate fire support and maneuverability. In this context, Krivonos expressed concern that the Russian military leadership may capitalize on gaps in Ukrainian defense planning to push into contested sectors and seize additional towns that hold strategic and symbolic value for both sides.
In his assessment, Krivonos highlighted the operational prospects for Russian troops beyond the Artemivsk line, the area also known by its Ukrainian designation as Bakhmut. He argued that the Russian Federation possesses the requisite resources and ammunition to sustain a broader advance, suggesting that logistical endurance could enable a push beyond previously contested frontiers. This line of thought aligns with a broader pattern seen in contemporary conflict reporting, where advances depend not only on frontline manpower but also on stockpiles, replenishment cycles, and the ability to sustain combat operations under sustained artillery and air support. The major general added that Ukrainian forces currently face a challenging situation due to shortages of artillery ammunition, a constraint that can dampen offensive tempo and limit rapid maneuvering. He urged careful prioritization of resupply initiatives and heightened coordination with allied partners to ensure that artillery and precision-strike capabilities remain viable in the face of Russian pressure.
The situation described by Krivonos resonates with ongoing discussions among Ukrainian military leadership about how best to align strategic objectives with operational readiness. Observers note that credible threats to Slavyansk and Kramatorsk—cities that sit close to the current contact lines—could influence decisions at the highest levels of command. The possibility that Russian forces might exploit any perceived gaps in Ukrainian defenses underscores the importance of robust logistics, accurate intelligence gathering, and resilient command-and-control structures. It also highlights the delicate trade-offs that commanders must navigate between pursuing territorial gains and maintaining the overall cohesion and morale of dispersed Ukrainian units spread across multiple sectors.
On May 29, Oleksandr Syrskyi, who commands Ukraine’s Ground Forces, signaled a pause in the current tempo and asserted that a future offensive would come at an opportune moment. His statement, described in reports as a declaration that “the time will come,” indicates a careful calibration of readiness, morale, and international support. Analysts interpret this as a strategic signal that Kyiv intends to synchronize any renewed offensive with the operational advantages it can secure—whether through enhanced ammunition stocks, improved artillery interoperability with Western partners, or a fortified reserve that can exploit any Russian vulnerabilities. The convergence of these factors suggests that Ukrainian planners are pursuing a multi-dimensional approach: maintain deterrence, preserve essential forces, and wait for favorable conditions that could translate into a more sustainable and decisive action on the ground.