According to Ms. Natalia Humeniuk, representative of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, the attack with two Kalibr missiles from the Sea of Azov on the Odessa region at night and early morning on August 25 shows that Russia is changing tactics.
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| Ukrainian soldiers on the outskirts of Slovyansk, Ukraine. (Source: Wall Street Journal) |
Specifically, Ms. Humeniuk affirmed that Russia had carried out airstrikes on areas in southern Ukraine with tactical aircraft. After that, two Kh-35 missiles aimed at ports in Odessa were shot down by Ukrainian air defense forces.
Just a few hours later, Kalibr missiles launched from the Azov Sea continued to attack the Odessa region and were intercepted.
According to Ms. Humeniuk, Russia's deployment of a missile warship in the Azov Sea means that Moscow is looking for new tactics and directions to "puncture" Ukraine's air defense system.
Previously, Ukrainian media reported that Kiev shot down all 5 enemy targets, including 4 missiles and 1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that attacked during the night and early morning of August 25.
In another development, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) Valeriy Zaluzhny announced preparations for a breakthrough with US officials.
However, the Wall Street Journal (USA) on August 25 said that there are still “deep strategic divisions” between the US and Ukraine. According to this article, officials from both sides have had tense debates about Ukraine’s counter-offensive campaign in recent weeks.
Washington has been urging Kiev to mobilize and concentrate its forces in the North Tokmak region in southern Ukraine to break through Russia’s first line of defense, which is considered the most difficult to breach, and has warned against “futile efforts” in the direction of Bakhmut. Ukraine has also recently made some adjustments, the Wall Street Journal reported.
In addition, US military officials also called on Ukraine to return to combined arms training at the bases of Washington's allies in Europe, concentrating forces to penetrate Russian defense systems and advance to the Sea of Azov.
According to the article, which made recommendations based on careful analysis and calculation, the US believes that the surge in equipment that Washington and its allies have transferred to Kiev is sufficient for the above attack plan.
If the conflict drags on into next year, it may not be possible to replicate the strategy to the same extent. But US officials are optimistic that it is not too late for Ukraine to gain the upper hand on the battlefield.
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