Ukrainian counterattacks force Kremlin to reconsider strategy

Ukrainian forces have recaptured towns on the outskirts of Kyiv and initiated counterattacks against Russian positions, forcing them to retreat on overextended supply lines in what Western officials believe may be a sign that momentum in the war in shifting.

According to one British intelligence report released on Friday, “Ukrainian counter-attacks, and Russian forces falling back on overextended supply lines, has allowed Ukraine to reoccupy towns and defensive positions up to 35 km east of Kyiv.”

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin is alleged to have expected a quick outcome when he launched his “special military operation” just over one month ago, his forces have been unable to capture any major Ukrainian cities and have resorted instead to besieging and obliterating residential areas.

Moscow on Friday signaled that it was shifting its focus in Ukraine to instead focus on territories claimed by Russian-back separatists in the east.

Although it is clear that Russia’s forces have been unable to accomplish the Kremlin’s goals, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the first phase of Russia’s “special military operation” is mostly complete and efforts would now shift to “liberating” Russians.  

According to Mayor Volodymyr Borysenko, some 20,000 civilians evacuated from Kyiv’s eastern suburb of Boryspol on Friday so Ukrainian troops could begin a counterattack against the invading Russian forces.

Similar counterattacks are being launched in the capital’s suburbs of Irpin, Hostomel and Bucha – areas which have been flattened by Russian artillery over the past few weeks.

Fifteen miles northwest of Kyiv, a band of Ukrainian forces armed with anti-tank missiles has dug-in and is preparing to face Russian forces in the coming days in Bucha.

One of those men, Andriy, was recently interviewed by a Reuters reporter and said:

"I told my wife to grab the children and to hide in the basement, and I went to the drafting station and joined my unit straight away. My wife and children were under occupation for two weeks, but then they managed to escape through a humanitarian corridor."

There are also signs that Russia is also being affected by Western sanctions and on Friday sources revealed that China’s state-run Sinopec Group – Asia’s largest oil refiner – had suspended trade talks with Moscow.