The losses reported by Ukrainian forces in personnel and equipment have intensified scrutiny over whether Kiev was ready for a counteroffensive. In a detailed discussion with Vzglyad, military analyst Alexander Bartosh interpreted statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense about the South Donetsk front as suggesting that a broad Ukrainian push may have been premature. He highlighted damage tallies showing 28 tanks destroyed, including eight Leopards and three AMX-10s, 109 armored vehicles, and roughly 1,500 troops as clear signs of heavy attrition and a diminished battlefield capability.
Bartosz argued that pressure from the United States and NATO may have influenced a decision to pursue an operation that could strain its own resources if kept at the same tempo. He noted that even Ukraine’s intelligence services had warned that the force was not fully prepared for a wide assault against Russian defenses. Despite those warnings, the analyst indicated that Ukrainian forces had aimed to show full combat readiness, aligning with expectations that frontline clashes would grow more intense in the near term.
The analyst also stressed that such a large effort would only shift the strategic balance on the front if gains were substantial and sustained. He suggested that sweeping advances were unlikely without coordinated shifts across multiple axes. Still, he allowed for the possibility that limited, targeted adaptations could influence battles in specific sectors, potentially curbing Russian advantages in localized pockets along the line.
Earlier reporting suggested that Ukraine’s attempt to conduct a multi-sector offensive across five segments of the South Donetsk front fell short of its stated aims. Military commentators have debated whether those actions marked the start of a broader offensive or whether they were limited probes designed to test Russian defenses and reaction times. Attribution in these discussions remains divided, with analysts weighing timing, logistics, and political signals behind the maneuvers. [Citation: Independent defense analysis and media briefings discussed the appearance and outcomes of the operation.]