Ukraine has just begun its operation aimed at pushing the Russian occupation troops out of the south of the country. But an American veteran who trains the Ukrainian military warns that the effort will cost both armies dearly..

Eric, who declined to give his full name for security reasons, is 26. He is a US Special Operations Forces veteran.. He volunteered to join the Mozart group founded by Marine Corps Colonel Andy Milburn.. The group trains Ukrainian soldiers and takes part in humanitarian missions throughout the war-torn country, writes Newsweek..

Erik and his colleagues trained Ukrainian forces taking part in offensive operations in the Kherson region. According to him, the operation requires "

“Ukraine from many points of view was on the defensive. When you are on the defensive, the conditions for victory are more on your side than the one you have to defend against.. Therefore, a change in thinking is needed, ”explained the American veteran.

Every phase of the war that Russia unleashed against Ukraine was determined by the conditions on the ground. Early Russian attempts to attack Kyiv got bogged down in dense forests and swamps north of the capital.. To the east and south, Ukrainian and Russian troops are fighting in the steppes dotted with settlements. Taking back control of Kherson and other cities in southern Ukraine like Melitopol requires Ukrainian forces to push Russians out of urban areas.

" They come with a lot of losses.. And no matter how well prepared you are,” said Eric.

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“The key task will be to learn how to operate in such areas. A lot needs to be considered for operations in cities: communications, provision, logistics, losses. Everything else in the cities. Everything is three times harder. I've been to many wars. And no matter how well prepared your people and troops are, no one is ever ready for big losses.. So it is. That is why Russia classified the death of its soldiers,” he added..

Newsweek recalls that Ukraine's intention to launch a counteroffensive in the south has been discussed for several months. Observers loyal to Kyiv look forward to real progress.

“People will expect quick results. But it doesn’t happen like that,” Eric warned..

Some military experts admitted that the purpose of the counteroffensive was not to break through the Russian defense lines, but to accelerate the depletion of Russian forces by depriving the occupiers on the right bank of the Dnieper of supply lines.. If so, then success will come slowly and gradually.. But no matter what happens in the Kherson region, it looks like the war will continue into 2023.. Peace talks completely failed. Leaders in Kyiv say peace is impossible without full withdrawal of Russian troops. They also promise to take back control of militarized Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.. Winter and autumn will be difficult seasons for both sides with heavy rains and swamps followed by frosts.

“I think the situation will become difficult and debilitating.. The front lines will begin to take hold. Neither side will move much because it will be logistically impossible. All this talk about the war being over by Christmas is just unrealistic.. Everything will go on long enough, unfortunately for the Ukrainian people,” explained the American veteran.

He also added that " Their defense lines are weak enough. And the Russian army does not have enough people.

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“Due to the fact that the Russians do not have enough manpower, the liberation of Kherson may be an easier task than we expected. But even if Kherson can be taken easier, there will be stagnation in winter,” added Eric.

He stressed that the Ukrainian forces need more equipment to advance their offensive on the battlefield in the steppe.. Night vision goggles, secure communication systems, artillery cannons, drones, mine detectors, and even basic tools like shovels and bolt cutters can greatly help small frontline units..

'Til I saw a soldier who needed to be motivated. There are no problems with manpower, only more equipment is needed, ”said the American military.