Since the start of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, Ukraine has retaken 300 square kilometers from the Russian forces. It shows the data that the American think tank ISW has produced for it DN – and the offensive has so far been described as slower and more difficult than expected.
However, the past week has been marked by several Ukrainian robot and drone attacks on Crimea, attacks that have resulted in heavy casualties. Among other things, Ukraine has succeeded in knocking out a landing craft, a submarine and an advanced aircraft system on the peninsula.
– Ukraine has demonstrated new capabilities and it has opened up for new attacks and new attacks because the air defense systems are there to protect Crimea, says TV4 Nyheternas Johan Fredriksson, on site in Zaporizhzhya.
– It is a decisive step for Ukraine, which has also used Western-made weapons to be able to knock out these naval forces and these defense systems, he continues.
New message
The successes appear to be proof that Ukraine has used Western-made cruise robots, possibly the British Storm Shadow.
A statement as the US Secretary of State Anthony Bliken made on Friday also indicates that weapons from the West will now be able to be used against Russian targets in Russia, which the West has previously opposed due to the risk of escalation of the war.
– When it comes to how Ukrainians use these systems, the decisions for the goals are theirs. They are not ours. And they have to make judgments about what might be most effective in working to regain their full sovereignty and their territorial integrity, Blinken said.
“Has changed feet”
Johan Fredriksson believes that it is a complete reversal that the USA is now doing.
– The US seems to have changed its foot regarding the possibility for Ukraine to be able to use US-made weapons, even against Russian targets inside Russia. Now they have apparently realized what the whole world can see; that this offensive is progressing rather slowly, he says.
– If the Russian troops can be driven out of this country, then Ukraine must be able to freely decide for themselves which targets they want to attack with the weapons they receive. Blinken and Biden have decided to give a bit of carte blanche to the government in Kiev to decide for themselves which targets to fight.
US media reports claim that President Joe Biden is getting ready to send long-range drones to Ukraine – an announcement that would mean a lot to the country’s ability to drive out Russian forces.