In the south, Ukraine has reached the Russian defense lines in three places. But the counteroffensive is slow. Something that is due to extensive mining, according to lieutenant colonel Joakim Paasikivi.
– The problem is that there are more defense lines and more mines. So whether it leads to a breakthrough or not remains to be seen. But Ukraine has continued the initiative anyway.
“I don’t think the Russians will succeed”
Meanwhile, Russia claims success in the Kharkiv region. That the Russian offensive focuses on the northern parts may be a tactic to distract Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the south.
– I think that the main purpose of the Russian offensive north in Luhansk is to divide the Ukrainians and get them to send reinforcements from southern Ukraine to make things worse for them. I don’t think the Russians will succeed in that, either a breakthrough or splitting the Ukrainians.
May adapt the plan
Although the Ukrainian counter-offensive is slow, Joakim Paasikivi believes that it is not too slow.
– These are two completely different front sections and if the Russians choose to deploy a lot of troops up in Luhansk, then they are not down in Zaporizhzhya. There are pros and cons to everything and that kind of balancing is done by both sides, he says and continues:
– You have your own plan and you try to fight according to it and then reality comes and gets in the way and then you have to adapt the plan.
This is how Ukraine complicates the situation for Russia
However, Ukraine’s plan with the counteroffensive to the south may be effective.
– The goal of the Ukrainian offensive in the south is to reach as far as possible – preferably down to the coast to the Sea of Azov, it seems difficult. But to reach as far in any case as to cut off the Russian connection and maintenance routes. If Ukraine can cut them off, then they have made the situation for Russia significantly more difficult, says Joakim Paasikivi.
Paasikivi: Ukraine is not satisfied
When TV4 Nyheterna asks lieutenant colonel Joakim Paasikivi how he thinks Ukraine’s military views the situation, he says that they hoped it would go faster.
– I don’t think they are very happy. But I don’t think you are discouraged. Now you have to put in what you have and continue to chew your way through, he says.
Why is it so slow?
– There is extensive Russian mining. Approximately millions of mines of all types are involved. From tank mines and anti-personnel mines to wire mines. Much of this has to be cleared by hand for Ukraine to come forward, says Joakim Paasikivi and continues:
– It is Ukrainian soldiers who crawl and clear these mines. It takes time and is dangerous.