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The time will soon come: Ukraine wants to launch a large-scale counter-offensive in the coming weeks. The weapons made available from the West are brought closer to the front and the troops are also rearming in the air.
Shortly before the major counter-attack, however, Ukrainian troops encountered an uncontrollable obstacle: the weather. Since it is currently raining a lot, the ground is muddy – and a battle with heavy artillery is impossible. Currently, the heavy artillery cannot be moved because it can get stuck. “Until the weather improves, there will be no counter-offensive,” a Ukrainian lieutenant of the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade told the New York Times.
The Ukrainian troops now hope for better weather soon. Then the muddy ground would harden and the offensive could begin. If not, it could be weeks or months before the Ukrainians can launch their offensive.
Combat boots slip off the feet
Experts suspect a planned Ukrainian advance into Zaporizhia oblast. However, the heavy rains of the past few weeks have softened the area enormously. According to the military, the soil in eastern and central Ukraine is reminiscent of a mixture of cookie dough and wet cement. The Ukrainians would literally take off their combat boots because they got stuck in the muddy ground.
The lieutenant continues in an interview with the “New York Times”: “The vehicles would now get stuck if we started. And what do we do when the shooting starts?”
Only in good weather conditions can the German Panzerhaubitze 2000 unleash its full potential. The tanks are powerful, but have problems with wet floors and moisture – a big problem at the moment.
“The tank likes cleanliness”
The vacuum cleaner integrated in the vehicle makes it clear that the tanks are sensitive to dirt. “The tank likes cleanliness,” said Mykola, an artillery commander. “If you fire two full loads of ammunition, you need a whole day for maintenance,” he explains.
The Ukrainians are ready, says Mykola. Only the weather doesn’t want to play along for the counterattack. “We have nowhere to go at the moment,” says the artillery commander. “But for us it is clear: from now on we can only move forward.” (lia)
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.
