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They wanted to rout the Russians. The Ukrainian army had been preparing the counter-offensive for some time. But in the end only minor successes could be achieved. A militarily important breakthrough to the Sea of Azov – across the land corridor to the Crimean peninsula captured by Kremlin troops – still seems far away.
The West is also responsible for the fiasco, former American four-star general and former CIA chief David Petraeus (71) explains in an interview with BBC Russia. Due to a lack of supplies, Ukraine “could not achieve the breakthrough that everyone had hoped for,” the ex-general said. There were delivery delays. “Our tanks only recently reached them.”
Ukraine needed an advantage in the air
The West has debated for too long what weapons and vehicles could be made available to Ukraine. For example, the US has postponed a decision on cluster munitions. Valuable time for Ukraine was wasted. Ultimately, important tanks and aircraft arrived too late at the front. But only then would Ukraine have had a chance at its offensive.
Petraeus: “Our military doctrine says that in order to break the Russian defenses we have in the south, we need an advantage in the air. And we didn’t give that to the Ukrainians.”
The West should have responded to the occupation of Crimea
More than 21 months after the Russian invasion, helplessness and nervousness are spreading in Kiev as Western aid dwindles. Ukraine lacks weapons, ammunition, money and, in the near future, soldiers.
The West also bears some of the blame for the fact that Vladimir Putin, 71, felt strong enough to attack Ukraine. “I think one of the reasons why Vladimir Putin decided to attack Ukraine is that we did not take sufficient measures after the occupation of Crimea,” the former CIA chief said.
Russia took control of the Crimean peninsula, which belongs to Ukraine, in the spring of 2014. The first armed clashes between supporters of the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian demonstrators on February 26, 2014 ultimately resulted in a Russian military intervention. A controlled referendum on integration into the Russian Federation led to Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in March. (ymh)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
