2022.08.15

 But in the sunbaked fields along the Kherson Region’s western border, 

the Ukrainian fighters who would be called on to deliver the knockout 

blow in any successful effort to retake territory remain pinned down 

in their trenches. 

 The cuts to supply lines have not yet eroded Moscow’s overwhelming 

advantage in artillery, ammunition and heavy weaponry, making it difficult, 

if not impossible, for Ukrainian forces to press forward without suffering 

enormous casualties.

 “Without question we need a counteroffensive; I sincerely believe it will 

come,” said a 33-year-old lieutenant with the call sign Ada, who 

commands an outpost of trenchworks in the Mykolaiv region, a few miles 

from the Russian lines in Kherson.

 But he said: “We need the advantage in numbers, we need the advantage

in heavy weapons. Unfortunately, this is a bit of a problem for us.”

 Russia maintains overwhelming superiority in troop numbers and ammunition, 

and in recent weeks the Kremlin has moved to reinforce its military in the 

region, shifting resources there from the fighting in the eastern Donbas.

 “The real limitations the Ukrainians face is that moving forward in the combat 

environment today is really difficult,” said Phillips P. O’Brien, a professor of 

strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. 

 “Unless you have total command of the skies and the ability to clear out the 

area in front of your troops, those moving forward are in real danger of 

getting eaten away.”

 https://worldnewsera.com/news/europe/ukraine-chips-away-at-russian-held-region-but-task-is-daunting/

 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/15/world/europe/ukraine-retake-southern-region.html