Ukraine will have to concede ‘some territories’ and retreat to more defensible positions – CNN

Ukraine “will likely have to concede some tactical territory and retreat to more defensible positions.”

This was stated by expert Ekaterina Stepanenko of the American “Institute for the Study of War,” as reported by CNN.

According to her, the retreat could occur “in some scenarios of combat operations.” The reason behind it is the shortage of ammunition and personnel.

Associate Professor of National Security at the University of New Haven, Matthew Schmidt, believes that the most favorable scenario for Ukraine with the current level of Western assistance is the stabilization of the front line.

“The only variable that could change this is a major Russian mistake. But relying on your enemy to mess up has never been a good strategy,” Schmidt added.

CNN reports that “Ukraine is also not prepared to capitalize on these mistakes.”

“Russian forces have lost at least three mechanized divisions during the campaign for Avdiivka, and Ukraine was unable to counterattack around Avdiivka and exploit Russia’s exhaustion,” said Stepanenko.

Therefore, in her opinion, Ukraine has no other choice but to “entrench and try to anticipate, to the best of its ability, where, when, and with what intensity Russian forces will attack next.”