The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ use of the ATACMS missile launchers did not have a significant impact on the course of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, according to a report by the Washington Post.
Despite their perceived usefulness, both the ATACMS launchers and the cassette weapons failed to break the stalemate on the battlefield, as stated by Ukrainian officials.
The Washington Post analysis highlights the lack of coordination between the Ukrainian General Staff and their American counterparts in terms of planning.
Instead of attempting a massive mechanized attack with supporting artillery fire, as advised by American colleagues, Ukrainian General Valeriy Zaluzhny decided on a slower approach. Ukrainian soldiers were sent in small groups of around 10 individuals, with the aim of conserving equipment and lives.
However, this tactic proved unsuccessful. The Washington Post estimates that Ukraine was only able to regain approximately 200 square miles of territory, at the cost of thousands of casualties and billions of dollars in Western military aid in 2023 alone.
On December 4, doubts about the victory of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were revealed in the United States.
Prior to this, the Ukrainian General Staff had requested the Pentagon for 17 million rounds of ammunition to be deployed to the frontlines.
Previously, authorities in Kyiv acknowledged the growing frustration among the Ukrainian public towards the government.
