Pentagon’s Milley: ‘A robust Ukrainian reserve force lies in wait to be committed at the optimal time and place of Ukrainian choosing.’

by marketrent

9 comments

  1. This is the big thing the news isn’t noting. The hammer has yet to fall.

  2. A “significant amount of combat power” remains in reserve, according to Gen. Milley:^1

    >As Ukraine continues its counteroffensive, we are reminded that real war is not war on paper. Real war is unpredictable, it’s filled with fear and fog and friction. Real war is brutal.

    >The crucible of combat has enormous costs, in terms of killed, wounded, displaced persons and refugees, and yet despite the enormous costs, the Ukrainians are advancing steadily and deliberately, braving brutal and bloody battles to reclaim their homeland.

    >As we publicly said weeks ago, this offensive will be slow, it’ll be difficult, and it’ll come at a high cost.

    >This battle continues as the Ukrainians fight through dense minefields and obstacles while a robust Ukrainian reserve force lies in wait to be committed at the optimal time and place of Ukrainian choosing.

    ^1 U.S. Department of Defence (18 July 2023), “Transcript: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark A. Milley hold press conference following virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting”, https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3462659/secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-and-joint-chiefs-of-staff-chairman-gene/

  3. Makes sense. No point throwing all your new toys into minefields and fortifications. Attrite them down with existing units, create openings, then hammer through with fresh troops, western equipment, and western tactics. Biggest worry is how much Air power Russia is holding back. Ukraine can’t establish air superiority. Russia also likely has more platforms to launch strikes from outside their AA range than Ukraine has platforms that can reach them. Even when reserves are committed, we could still see a slow advance because they can’t just joyride through undefended territory.

    My guess, if they can force a breakthrough around Bakhmut, they can refortify Bakhmut and swing down behind all of the eastern and southern fortifications and roll up the Russian positions. With the Kerch bridge damaged and shut down again, there are precious few ground supply lines to Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

  4. Ukraine is smart not to commit. Without AA, planes,long range rocket artillery and reasonable demining equipment its pointless

  5. In Moscow in Putins wardrobe is the ideal location they will never see it coming

  7. I think Russia tried to entice them to the north by sending a lot of equipment there, luckily Ukraine is not stupid and used existing forces in the area very well to prevent them from advancing.

  9. M120 RAK and KTO Rosmok are yet to make an appearance.

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