The offensive potential of the Russian forces has decreased, but the enemy has not abandoned its plans, – Levchenko

The offensive potential of the Russian invaders in the east of Ukraine has decreased sufficiently. Ukrainian troops inflicted severe losses on the enemy during previous operations to defend Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. That`s why Russia cannot effectively replenish losses in personnel, weapons, and equipment. This opinion was voiced by Igor Levchenko, head of the strategic modeling section of the Center for Army Research, Conversion and Disarmament, on the air of the FREEDOM marathon on UA ​​TV channel, Dom reports.

The expert believes that the main failures of the Russian troops are associated with underestimating the resilience of the Ukrainian army:

“The Russians overestimated their capabilities and accumulated an objectively insufficient resource. Despite this, they continue to overcome the Ukrainian troops in terms of the main indicators of both weapons, equipment, and personnel. If we are talking about the Donetsk direction, there are practically no constant attempts to carry out offensive operations there. have results.”

He is convinced that this is due to the fact that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have a good defense there, which has been under construction since 2014:

“In this area, Ukrainian troops conducted offensive operations and know the area well since 2014. Commanders know how to build the best defense there. They know what kind of natural or man-made barriers are there.”

Levchenko stressed that the enemy does not intend to abandon their offensive plans:

“The enemy has not given up plans to attack at the political and highest military level. They can attack without sufficient resources to do so. It seems that they plan to fight the last Russian soldier.”

Earlier, in April 2022 Russia began an offensive in the Donbas region. Despite the advantage of Russia in the number of equipment, they could not achieve significant success.

At the end of June, the Russians were able to capture Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, almost two and a half months after the start of their offensive. During this operation, Russia lost thousands of dead and wounded.
In early August, Russia began moving its troops south to stop a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kherson region.

Read also: Operational information on Russian invasion (August 25)