Ukraine’s Offensive Begins: Burning NATO Equipment vs. Layered Russian Defenses

Update on Ukrainian Conflict for June 10, 2023:

– Ukraine’s long-awaited offensive has begun, including all types of NATO-provided armor and weapons;

– Visual evidence is emerging of burning Leopard 2 tanks, US Bradley fighting vehicles, and other equipment as Ukraine struggles to punch through Russia’s security zone and reach its first defensive lines;

– Both Western and Russian sources are reporting heavy Ukrainian losses;

– Since Ukraine’s fall offensives last year, Russia has mobilized 300,000 additional troops and established multiple layers of defenses;

– Regardless of Ukraine’s performance, NATO does not have the ability to supply Ukraine with the equipment and ammunition to sustain operations for any length of time or to hold gained territory against a Russian counter-offensive;

References:

CNN – Ukrainian forces suffer ‘stiff resistance’ and losses in assault on Russian lines (June 9, 2023):
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/08/po…

NYT – Defenses Carved Into the Earth (December 2022):
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2…

AP – NATO: Ukraine allies sent 1,550 combat vehicles, 230 tanks:
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukr…

Global Security – FM 100-61 Armor and Mechanized Based Opposing Force Operational Art, Chapter 6 – Army Group Defensive Operations:
https://www.globalsecurity.org/milita…

The National Interest – Turkey’s Leopard 2 Tanks Are Getting Crushed in Syria (November 2019):
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buz…