Ukraine War: How Far Has Kyiv Progressed In Its Counteroffensive?

In early June, war-ravaged Ukraine began its big counteroffensive to push Russian forces back from territory they seized. While Ukrainian generals say they have “broken through” Moscow’s first line of defence in the south, let’s assess how far the country has actually progressed.

By far, the area to the south-east of the city of Zaporizhzhia is the most strategically important. Striking out in this direction towards the Sea of Azov could cut off Russia’s supply lines that connect the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don to Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.

But there hasn’t been much progress on this front. Nevertheless, despite significant obstacles, there are now proofs of Ukrainian troops breaching Russia’s defensive structures along the south. The BBC has verified multiple videos along the frontline near Verbove in Zaporizhzhia.

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What’s Stopping Ukraine From Strengthening Its Counteroffensive?

The videos, however, show incursions, not that Ukrainian forces have managed to take control of the area. Then, what has been stopping Ukraine from advancing faster? It’s Moscow building the world’s most formidable layered defences in depth.

Russia saw Ukraine’s counter attack coming long ago. When seen from space, the formidable layers look like lines of interlocking obstacles, trenches, bunkers and minefields, each covered by artillery. Vast minefields have been challenging the Ukrainian advance.

These areas are intensely packed, with some places housing up to five mines in just a square metre. While Ukraine had first tried to advance through these minefields in June, its attempt ended in failure and its Western-supplied armour was seen burning and crippled.

Could Kim-Putin Summit Bring A New Direction To Ukraine War?

Kyiv has now been trying to clear those mines on foot and sometimes under fire. But it has been a slow progress. In order for its counteroffensive to be judged a qualified success, Kyiv needs to get an opening big enough to get more troops in.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un travelled to Russia, where he was greeted with a 40-second handshake by Vladimir Putin. Their meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome has been dismissed by the US as an act of desperation by the Russian leader.

The Kim-Putin summit wasn’t just a meeting of minds or an opportunity to reportedly exchange gifts of small arms. It was a demonstration that the two countries need each other more than ever – amid war, sanctions and widespread condemnation.