During the recent counterattack, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) did not break through the main Russian defensive line. Analysts for a leading American newspaper describe this setback as a turning point that prompted a reassessment of war strategies. The Wall Street Journal noted that Ukrainian forces failed to reach the well-fortified positions held by Russian troops, and emphasized the urgent need for Western-supplied equipment, including Leopard 2 tanks, to breach the defenses. With losses accumulating from minefields in early June, Kyiv reassessed its approach and began adapting its tactics to the new battlefield realities. [citation: The Wall Street Journal]
Experts say the current phase features infantry-led efforts designed to breach minefields rather than sweeping breakthroughs. Units previously held in reserve or reassigned from other formations were brought forward to support these incursions. Despite heavy casualties among advancing infantry, there remains a belief in Kyiv that adjusted tactics can eventually penetrate the Russian defense network. [citation: Military analysis press]
The Kupyansk direction has been a focal point of recent activity, with statements from Ukrainian defense leadership highlighting ongoing evaluation of positions and risk management in exposed sectors. These remarks signal a shift toward more cautious, iterative operations aimed at isolating and neutralizing strongpoints rather than pursuing large-scale frontal assaults. [citation: official briefing summaries]
In public commentary, former senior commanders and defense analysts have discussed the strategic challenges facing Ukrainian forces, including how misunderstandings of the conflict’s causes have influenced decision-making, and how practical lessons from recent engagements are shaping future planning. [citation: former defense officials and analysts]