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Ladimir Putin’s military is “struggling to adapt” to Ukraine’s precision missile strike capability as the Russian military faces a counterattack in the country’s south.
This week Ukrainian forces launched a long-awaited counter-offensive aimed at retaking the southern province of Kherson.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s advisers have said his army has breached Russian defenses in several front-line areas near the city of Kherson.
Russia’s military has been “dismayed” that its command centers in Ukraine have been hit by long-range strikes, Western officials said on Friday.
“Ukraine’s use of these long-range strikes has achieved substantial effect against Russia and across Kherson,” they said.
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“It is forcing Russia to adjust its positioning, adjust its tactics, and has caused considerable consternation for the Russian armed forces as they struggle to match Ukraine’s precision and long-range strike capability.”
Russia also faces major challenges in replenishing its munitions supplies and has “scratched trying to get previously blocked equipment back into service,” the officials added.
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s Southern Operations Command said its forces had destroyed a pontoon bridge near the town of Daryivky in the Kherson region, which was being used by Russian troops to carry equipment and ammunition
Counterattack progress is expected to be slow.
The general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces also reported Thursday fighting near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and further along the front lines in the east and south.
Western officials vowed on Friday that they would “absolutely guarantee” the continued supply of ammunition and materials to Ukraine as the slow-moving counteroffensive against Putin’s military continues.
National Security Adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove said: “It is more than six months since Putin launched his illegal and unprovoked war which caused untold suffering to the innocent people of Ukraine and there is every yet more evidence of atrocities committed by Russian forces.
“Putin’s invasion has hurt people around the world, causing price increases and food insecurity, even for many who were already vulnerable, as well as desperate bloodshed.
“Ukraine’s resistance has inspired the world and shown great courage in the face of brutality. Now this courageous resistance has stopped the Russian advance and demonstrated the determination of the people and Armed Forces of Ukraine to regain their sovereign territory .
“The risks surrounding this terrible conflict continue as Putin finds he cannot advance, his forces suffer heavy losses and sanctions continue to degrade his war machine and take money out of the pockets of Russia’s richest.
“At the same time, Russia is trying and failing to impose a layer of legitimacy on areas it temporarily controls, including through organized sham referendum plans.
“It will not succeed. The UK and our allies will continue to provide humanitarian, economic and military assistance.
“Our support for Ukraine and its people will not waver.”