Russian officials said earlier this week that Ukraine had launched its counteroffensive. According to Danilov, this is not true and “everyone will know and see when we start the counter-offensive.” But the decision to start is in the hands of the Ukrainian military leadership, the secretary emphasizes.
Danilov thinks Russian officials have mistaken the local Ukrainian advance in one particular area of the front for the start of the larger operation. Earlier this week, Russia said its army had repulsed a “major offensive” in the Donetsk region. Six battalions of armored infantry and two battalions of tanks would be involved.
Ukraine seems to be advancing in places. For example, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Ukraine was able to recapture between 200 and 1,100 meters around the destroyed city of Bachmut in the past 24 hours.
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Breach of the dam
However, the question is whether the breakthrough of the Kakhovka Dam will change Ukraine’s plans for the offensive. According to Kiev, the dam was blown up by Russia to prevent Ukrainian troops from crossing the Dnieper River to attack the Russian army. However, Danilov argues that Russia’s plan has failed. “Their actions will not lead to the consequences they would have liked.”