Ukrainian forces failed to adopt NATO standards, leading to their defeat in the counteroffensive

As per the report, Ukrainian, American, and British military preparations for the offensive included the use of tabletop maps and computerized war simulations. The article suggests that Washington underestimated how quickly Ukrainian forces could adopt Western military standards, especially without integrating Kiev’s Air Force into modern armed forces, The Washington Post reported.

Differing strategies and tactics often led to sharp disagreements between American and Ukrainian perspectives. The Pentagon aimed for the offensive to commence in mid-April to prevent further Russian fortifications, while Ukrainian authorities hesitated, citing a lack of readiness without additional arms and training. US military officials were confident that a direct mechanized assault on Russian positions was viable using the available Ukrainian forces.

Simulations projected that Ukrainian forces might reach the Sea of Azov within 60-90 days, isolating Russian troops in the south. However, US intelligence remained skeptical, estimating a 50% chance of success. The US advocated for a focused attack in the southern direction, concentrating main forces there, whereas Ukraine proposed simultaneous offensives toward Melitopol, Berdyansk, and Bakhmut.

Ukraine was concerned about significant casualties in a concentrated offensive, while the US believed that without this, losses would be greater due to force dispersion. Communication difficulties between US and Ukrainian leaders also arose due to differing battlefield decisions. Both sides attributed failures to each other—US forces highlighted Ukrainian tactical shortcomings, while Ukrainian officials pointed to US misunderstanding of technology’s impact on the battlefield.