A Shift in Ukrainian Counteroffensive Since Coup on the Kremlin?

The advancements in Ukraine have been slow and steady — and by no means insignificant.

The previous focus of the counteroffensive has been chiefly on Zaporizhzhia and Donbas; more recently, we have seen a change in focus on Kherson (Southern Ukraine, above the Crimean peninsula).

So, what’s going on?

Here’s a brief update.

Photo by Olga Subach on Unsplash

To remind you — if you need reminding — Ukraine’s focus since the start of the ‘probing attacks’/counteroffensive has largely been on Bakhmut and Zaporizhzhia. But even then Ukrainians began to advance alongside the Dnipro River, which leads past Kherson City to the Black Sea.

Nonetheless, the focus was clear.

The most significant concentration of forces between these two advances was toward Tokmak. I outlined some of that in my blog post titled, “Is Ukraine Underperforming in Counteroffensive Against Russia?”

But forces also advanced around Bakhmut. Some claim that Ukrainian troops have had a boost in morale as of Wagner’s mutiny against Russia. More importantly, perhaps, Wagner troops exited the region, providing some relief for the Ukrainians.

It’s worth saying that it’s difficult to comment with complete certainty on Ukrainian plans…