Ukrainian Defense Ministry Considers Global Expectations for Counteroffensive Overrated

The leadership of Ukraine is concerned that the counteroffensive may not meet the noise surrounding it. This conclusion was drawn by The Washington Post after conversations with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

“Expectations for our counteroffensive are overrated in the world. Most people expect something significant,” Reznikov stated. He believes that such expectations could lead to “emotional disappointment.”

According to the head of the Defense Ministry, the first battalion of Ukraine is over 90% ready for the counteroffensive, but some soldiers have not yet completed their training abroad. He emphasized that Kyiv is most in need of air defense systems.

Zelensky believes that the more victories Ukraine achieves, the more people will believe in them, which means they will receive more assistance. He noted that Kyiv will be ready to launch an offensive when it receives the military equipment agreed upon with its partners. According to him, dates may change due to weather conditions.

The Ukrainian president admitted that Kyiv is “losing in the skies.” He mentioned that he will not wait for the delivery of fighter jets for the counteroffensive; however, he believes it would be “much easier” if Kyiv had F-16s.

The newspaper reports that