Czech leader confesses he recognized Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive was doomed

(MENAFN) Czech President Petr Pavel has admitted that Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive against Russia was destined to fail, citing inadequate equipment, manpower shortages, and unrealistic military conditions.

In an interview with European Pravda published on Saturday, Pavel, a former high-ranking military commander, stated that Ukraine lacked the necessary force ratio to achieve a breakthrough. According to military theory, he explained, a successful offensive requires a numerical advantage of at least 2-to-1 or ideally 5-to-1, which Ukraine never had over Russia.

“Even before Ukraine launched its major counteroffensive, it was clear that the conditions for success were not in place,” he said, adding that liberating all occupied territories was unrealistic.

Pavel suggested that the war is likely to end in a compromise, as Ukraine struggles with dwindling Western aid and increasing battlefield losses. However, he maintained that the EU should not recognize Crimea or the Donbass as Russian territory.

In June 2023, Ukraine launched its highly anticipated military push with newly formed brigades and Western-supplied Leopard 2 and Challenger 2 tanks. However, the offensive failed to break through Russian fortifications and minefields, resulting in heavy casualties and significant equipment losses. The few villages Ukraine initially captured were later reclaimed by Russian forces.

Pavel emphasized that Europe must continue supporting Ukraine to prevent further territorial losses while creating conditions for a ceasefire and future peace negotiations.

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