Ukraine planning a 'significant counteroffensive' against Russian forces in the South: report
Ukrainian military forces are planning a "significant counteroffensive" in the country's South as Russian President Vladimir Putin's February 24th imperialist invasion enters its seventh month.
CNN learned through interviews with American intelligence officials that Ukraine has initiated "shaping" operations that "are standard military practice prior to an offensive and involve striking weapons systems, command and control, ammunition depots and other targets to prepare the battlefield for planned advances."
Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Operational Command South, confirmed to CNN that "yes, (Ukrainian forces) have started the offensive actions in several directions on the South front towards liberating the occupied territories" and that "all the details will be available after the operation is fulfilled."
CNN noted in its Monday report, however, that the campaign "will include a combination of air and ground operations" although specific targets are being kept under wraps.
Putin's war has caused massive casualties on both sides. But Russia's losses are believed to vastly outnumber those of Ukraine, which has mounted a formidable defense under the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and with assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization member nations.
Ukraine also has also garnered experience in how to check Putin's advances.
"The Resistance Operating Concept was developed in 2013 following Russia's war with Georgia a few years earlier but its value was only realized after Russia's invasion of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014," CNN explained. "It provides a blueprint for smaller nations to effectively resist and confront a larger neighbor that has invaded."
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