The Post spoke to former Russian service members who had fought in the war, as well as Russian war bloggers and analysts. ● As the expected launch of the offensive approached, Ukrainian military officials feared they would suffer catastrophic losses — while American officials believed the toll would ultimately be higher without a decisive assault. AdvertisementThe year began with Western resolve at its peak, Ukrainian forces highly confident and President Volodymyr Zelensky predicting a decisive victory. In the middle of 2022, when the thinking about a counteroffensive began, “no one knew the weather forecast,” the former senior Ukrainian official said. The Pentagon concluded that Ukrainian forces were failing to properly handle and maintain all the equipment after it was received.

Source: Washington Post December 04, 2023 22:54 UTC