Why the Ukrainian 2023 counter offensive failed
In 2023 the Ukrainian armed forces launched a much-anticipated counter offensive which failed to live up to its expectations. In the beginning of 2023 Ukraine faced a difficult choice. If they didn’t advertise the counter offensive, they wouldn’t receive as much western aid and would therefore be unable to launch any counter offensive. If they did advertise the counter offensive, they would receive much more western aid and would therefore be able to launch a counter offensive. However, delays in receiving this aid would give the Russians more time to build their defensive lines which started construction at the end of 2022. These defensive lines consisted of anti-tank ditches, dragons’ teeth and trenches, interspersed with dense minefields. Most analysts, and the Russian military, expected the counteroffensive to attempt to cut the so-called land bridge to Crimea. Ukraine decided to split its assault along 3 directions, however even if we assume that Ukraine had launched...