Major structural weaknesses behind Russian defenses may allow Ukrainian army to succeed - CIA Chief
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CIA Director Williams Burns is still optimistic about Ukraine's counteroffensive campaign, that’s according to a speech he made at the Aspen Security Forum on July 20.
The considerable defensive lines Russia has built along the front line over the past year are hiding behind some significant “structural weaknesses.” These weaknesses, according to him, include low morale, poor command, and disarray among the country’s political and military leadership.
"It is going to be a tough slog," Burns said.
"But we’re going to do everything we can as an intelligence agency to provide the kind of intelligence support and sharing that’s going to help the Ukrainians to make progress."
Ukrainian counteroffensive: the latest news
The Ukrainian military’s General Staff announced on June 16 that Ukrainian units have successfully conducted offensive operations in the following areas:
- Novodanilivka-Robotyne (towards Tokmak, Zaporizhzhya Oblast)
- Levadne-Staromayorske (on the border of Zaporizhzhya and Donetsk Oblasts)
- East of the settlement of Stupochky in Donetsk Oblast, displacing Russians from their occupied positions
- In the Vuhledar area, the Ukrainian Armed Forces achieved success in certain areas.
Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said on July 17 that about 30 square kilometers of Ukrainian soil were liberated in the Bakhmut direction and 180 square kilometers in the south of the country.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive is "slower than we would like," but that Ukraine will move forward "as it sees fit."
Commander-in-Chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said he was "angry" with the words that the Ukrainian counteroffensive was "slower than expected" and added that every meter liberated by Ukrainian troops is "paid for with blood ."
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be a difficult and fierce battle.
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