“From August, they will already be with our military units and will be actively used in hostilities. This is where the turning point begins. But now we’re (still) sorely lacking in heavy weapons,” Budanov claims.
Ukraine Presidential advisor Oleksiy Arestovych said a major counteroffensive has started but it will be more effective in mid-June. The tide will turn as more and better weapon systems are being provided to Ukraine.
“A counterattack is possible with the accumulation of a large number of Western weapons, which will be enough for at least a few brigades, fully armed, trained and coordinated,” he said on Ukrainian national television.
A U.S. senior defense official at a briefing on May 16 said that 155 mm M777 Howitzers have already been delivered to Ukraine. And Canada is already providing large stores of ammunition for the howitzers. A large number of Turkish and US “strike” drones are also being rolled-out in the field. Military aid will allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to step up the counteroffensive.
Russia’s mounting losses.
On May 20, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar reported that areas in the south and in eastern Ukraine are still being attacked by “Russian invaders.” Russia “hasn’t given up plans to seize the entire territory.” But it is primarily attacking unarmed civilians and infrastructure.
