Current:Home > StocksAnalysts say Ukraine’s forces are pivoting to defense after Russia held off their counteroffensive-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Analysts say Ukraine’s forces are pivoting to defense after Russia held off their counteroffensive
View Date:2024-12-23 23:57:15
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s armed forces are taking up a more defensive posture, a military analysis said Wednesday, after their summer counteroffensive failed to achieve a major breakthrough against Russia’s army and as winter weather sets in after almost 22 months of the war.
“In recent weeks, Ukraine has mobilized a concerted effort to improve field fortifications as its forces pivot to a more defensive posture along much of the front line,” the U.K. Ministry of Defense said in an assessment.
The Kremlin’s deep defenses held firm against Ukraine’s monthslong assault, using Western-supplied weapons but without essential air cover, along the around 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line.
Most fighting in recent weeks has focused on artillery, missile and drone strikes as mud and snow hinder troop movements.
“Russia continues local offensive options in several sectors, but individual attacks are rarely above platoon size,” the U.K. analysis said. “A major Russian breakthrough is unlikely and overall, the front is characterized by stasis.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is hopeful that Kyiv’s Western allies will grow weary of financing the costly Ukrainian war effort, allowing the Kremlin’s forces to make a new offensive push next year against a weaker foe. He has put the Russian economy on a war footing to prepare for that.
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that he’s certain the United States will make good on its promise to provide billions of dollars in further aid for Kyiv to continue its fight. The U.S. Congress has broken for vacation without a deal to send around $61 billion to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also noted that next year Ukraine plans to produce 1 million drones, which have become a key battlefield weapon. The relatively cheap drones can be used to destroy expensive military hardware.
Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, said the million new drones will be so-called first-person view, or FPV, drones, which have a real time video function.
In addition, he said in a Telegram post, Ukraine can manufacture next year more than 10,000 mid-range strike drones that can travel hundreds of kilometers (miles) as well as more than 1,000 drones with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles). They will allow Ukraine to hit targets well behind the front line and in Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 18 of 19 Russian Shahed-type drones overnight, the Ukraine air force claimed Wednesday.
Also, Russia fired two S-300 ballistic missiles at Kharkiv in the northeast of Ukraine, it said. No casualties were reported.
___
Yuras Karmanau contributed to this report from in Tallinn, Estonia.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
veryGood! (94)
Related
- It's Red Cup Day at Starbucks: Here's how to get your holiday cup and cash in on deals
- 4 dead in central Washington shooting including gunman, police say
- Trevor Lawrence injury updates: Latest on Jaguars QB's status for 'TNF' game vs. Saints
- Horoscopes Today, October 18, 2023
- Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
- Financial investigators probing suspected contracts descend again on HQ of Paris Olympic organizers
- (G)I-DLE brings 'HEAT' with first English album: 'This album is really about confidence'
- Protesters on Capitol Hill call for Israel-Gaza cease-fire, hundreds arrested
- Investigation into Chinese hacking reveals ‘broad and significant’ spying effort, FBI says
- New Jersey police capture man accused of shoving woman into moving NYC subway train
Ranking
- Pedro Pascal's Sister Lux Pascal Debuts Daring Slit on Red Carpet at Gladiator II Premiere
- AP Week in Pictures: Asia
- Too much red meat is linked to a 50% increase in type 2 diabetes risk
- Elephant dies after dog ran around Saint Louis Zoo
- NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
- Trial begins for parents accused of starving Washington teen to death
- AP Week in Pictures: North America
- Defendant in Tupac Shakur killing case is represented by well-known Las Vegas lawyer
Recommendation
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Good Try (Freestyle)
-
Kansas is poised to boost legislators’ pay by $28,000 in 2025, nearly doubling it
-
Marine killed in Camp Lejeune barracks and fellow Marine held as suspect, the base says
-
Hurricanes are now twice as likely to zip from minor to whopper than decades ago, study says
-
John Krasinski Details Moment He Knew Wife Emily Blunt Was “the One”
-
Marine killed in homicide at Camp Lejeune, fellow Marine taken into custody
-
Republicans warn many Gaza refugees could be headed for the U.S. Here’s why that’s unlikely
-
Minnesota’s budget surplus grows to a projected $2.4 billion, fueling debate over spending