The Ukrainian military has “creatively approached” the preparation of a counteroffensive in the south, combining military assistance from the United States and other allies, according to the US Department of Defense.

“We are closely following the course of the counteroffensive.. I think we've seen some encouraging signs, of course, even in the last day or two.. But the Russians are a formidable adversary and I think it's going to be a long fight,"

It should be noted that the Pentagon for the first time called the hostilities in the Kherson region precisely a counteroffensive.. Previously, officials including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley have avoided using the term..

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The former commander of US forces in Europe, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, believes that when Kherson is liberated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, this will become a springboard for launching a counteroffensive in other directions, and the Russian army will “crumble”.