Ukraine’s Counteroffensive to Retake Russian Territory Suffers Slow Progress

Ukraine’s armed forces are currently engaged in a counteroffensive to regain Russian-occupied territory, but progress has been frustratingly slow, according to recent reports and maps. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a well-regarded think tank, has been documenting the stages of the war since Russia’s full-scale invasion, providing daily updates and maps that illustrate the territory controlled by Russia.

After months of anticipation, Ukraine launched its counteroffensive on June 4, hoping that its supply of Western weaponry would tilt the scales in its favor. However, over a month later, the push has fallen short of expectations. Experts attribute the sluggish progress to the formidable defenses that Russia has built along the 600-mile front line.

The ISW’s maps compare the gains made by both sides over successive weeks. In the Luhansk oblast, Ukraine has made marginal gains in and around the city of Bakhmut, as well as in the eastern Donetsk and southeastern Zaporizhzhia regions. However, the comparison of the ISW’s most recent maps from July 14 with the graphics from July 7 shows minimal changes in the oblast, except for further Russian advances in Novoselivske.

In the Donetsk oblast, particularly around Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces have made advances in multiple directions, controlling the commanding heights around the city. Similarly, Ukrainian forces have captured a stronghold north of Robotyne and have broken through the Hrushevatyi gully in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. In the Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts, Ukrainian forces have managed to capture a hotel south of the Antonovsky Bridge.

According to the ISW’s calculations, Ukrainian forces have recaptured approximately 97 square kilometers (37 square miles) of territory since the start of the counteroffensive. This, however, is roughly equivalent to the amount of territory that Russian forces had previously captured over the past six months.

While Ukraine’s counteroffensive has faced a slower-than-expected pace, experts believe that the situation remains complex with no clear path to resolution. Both sides continue to engage in fierce battles, and despite Ukraine’s efforts, Russian forces have managed to hold their positions in many key areas.

The conflict in Ukraine has sparked international concern, with global attention focused on the ongoing struggle and the potential for further escalation. As tensions persist, the international community is closely watching the situation and hoping for a peaceful resolution.