The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Senior Ukrainian officials fear counterattack may not live up to hype

By Siobhán O'Grady

06 May 2023 · 6 min read

Editor's Note

Ukraine's military has far exceeded expectations in the war against Russia. But senior leaders now fear that the imminent counteroffensive may fall short. The Post reports.

KYIV, Ukraine - The Ukrainian military has spent nearly 15 months exceeding the world's expectations. Now, senior leaders are trying to lower those hopes, fearing that the outcome of an imminent counteroffensive aimed at turning the tide of the war may not live up to the hype.

"The expectation from our counteroffensive campaign is overestimated in the world," Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in an interview this past week. "Most people are . . . waiting for something huge," he added, which he fears may lead to "emotional disappointment."

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