Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
IRGC sources tell Al Mayadeen that reports of Iranian missile strikes on northern Iraq are false, calling them rumors spread by enemy-linked media.
Trump: Venezuela airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety'
AFP: Ukraine behind attack on Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in Black Sea
Sheikh Qassem: We, our allies, the honorable in our nation, our people, and our army will never accept being subservient to the US or 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: They must despair, for whatever they do, this people cannot be defeated or broken, and we shall neither fall nor yield
Sheikh Qassem: Threats neither advance nor delay matters, yet the possibility of war or its absence exists because 'Israel' and the US are weighing their options
Sheikh Qassem: All these threats are simply a form of political pressure after a whole year of efforts proved ineffective
Sheikh Qassem: 'Israel's' 'servants' in Lebanon are few, but they cause problems by obstructing the country’s stability, growth, and liberation alongside the US and 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: Weapons block 'Israel’s' project, and anyone seeking disarmament plays into 'Israel’s' hands
Sheikh Qassem: The agreement came because we held fast, empowered by our vision, our faith, our will, our people, our patriotism, and our unwavering attachment to our land

BBC from the front lines in Ukraine: It's bad, counteroffensive failed

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Sep 2023 09:07
  • 7 Shares
3 Min Read

The British broadcaster says in a field report that Russia's drone capabilities has ensured that the progress of Ukraine's counteroffensive is even slower and harder.

  • x
  • BBC from the front lines in Ukraine: It's bad, counteroffensive failed
    Ukrainian soldiers rest in a trench on the frontline near Kreminna, Lugansk region on June 8, 2023. (AP)

Ukraine's long-discussed counteroffensive is nearing its end without any significant progress, BBC concluded in a field report conducted at the east front lines in Ukraine.

"The BBC has secured rare access to the 24th Mechanised Brigade, who have been fighting in the east," said the British broadcaster on Wednesday.

In a bid to regain lost ground, Ukraine launched a much-anticipated counteroffensive in early June. The operation fell short of meeting its objective, as per US officials, while major media outlets went as far as calling it a failure.

Read more: CIA informs Blinken of Ukraine counteroffensive failure: Hersh

Despite the massive military support to Ukraine, media outlets on Kiev's side confirmed earlier that the West and NATO failed to "outgun Russia," which continues to repel Ukrainian attacks, as well as destroy and capture their foreign-provided hardware.

Discussing ariel capabilities, the BBC correspondent said, citing Ukrainian soldiers, that Russia's drone capacity exceeds that of Ukraine in terms of numbers. This gave the Russian forces the ability to continuously target Ukrainian positions and vehicles nonstop, which forced Ukraine's soldiers to remain cautious and seek hideouts, in turn slowing down ground progress even more amid weak air defense capabilities as well.

"The Ukrainians say [Russia] has far more drones, which makes camouflage and remaining unseen vital. So, we were expecting a fire mission within 5 minutes, and then word came down on the radio to stand down because a Russian drone has been sighted somewhere near here," the reporter said.

Read more: US 'lying' about failed Ukraine counteroffensive: Ex-CIA analyst

If Ukrainian forces fail to shelter away from sight, Russia's military will certainly target them and their hardware.

"This is typical of what has been taking place: a constant battle of wits, a deadly battle of wits. This Russian video shows what happens if you get it wrong: Ukrainian self-propelled guns destroyed."

Many Ukrainian soldiers live in imminent stress, which is made worse given that troops don't know for how long they would have to stay at the front lines.

"No date has been set for their demobilization. It's extremely hard to live with that. Just how hard we saw at the medical center, where one casualty was being brought in. It was described as a panic attack and even armed presence was setting people on edge," the correspondent emphasized.

Read more: US wants Ukraine to go all in on counteroffensive, take all risks: FT

"The summer counter-offensive in Ukraine is drawing to a close without making the breakthroughs Ukraine and its allies had hoped for," the report found.

Not a movie

The goal of the counteroffensive was to seize the city and cut Russia's access to Crimea via land, and despite the billions of dollars put toward Kiev, minimal territorial gain has been achieved.

Last week, Ukrainian General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, who is leading the operation in the south, told CNN that Kiev's troops managed to make some breakthroughs in Russian defense lines.

However, the field general acknowledged that the progress had not been as swift as hoped, cautioning against unrealistic expectations akin to portrayals in "Second World War movies."

  • counteroffensive
  • Russia
  • war in Ukraine
  • Ukraine
  • BBC

Most Read

13 elite Israeli troops were wounded in a confrontations in Beit Jinn, Syria.

13 elite Israeli troops wounded in confrontations in southern Syria

  • West Asia
  • 28 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
U.S. F-35 fighter jets fly over José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Friday, September 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Politics

Venezuela condemns US 'colonial-style' threat to national airspace

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Gaza death toll exceeds 70,000 as Israeli crimes continue

Ireland removes name of former Israeli president from Dublin park
Europe

Ireland removes name of Ex. Israeli regime president from Dublin park

Gazan brothers Jomaa and Fadi Abu Assi, 8 and 9, in an undated photo (Social media)
Politics

Gaza: Two brothers, aged 8 and 9, killed by 'Israel' on their way home

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS