Head of Ukrainian Intelligence: Counteroffensive to continue even after bad weather begins

(Patria) - Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces will continue into the beginning of cold and wet weather later this year, stated the head of Kyiv's intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov.

Ukraine launched a counteroffensive this summer, reclaiming more than ten villages in the south and east over three months, but it has been slowed by vast minefields and well-entrenched Russian forces, Reuters reported.

"The fight will continue one way or another. In the cold, wet, and mud, it is harder to fight.
The fighting will continue. The counteroffensive will continue," Budanov said.

These comments are the strongest indication yet that Ukraine does not plan to halt its
pressure when the weather changes later this year.

Vadym Skibytskyi, an official from Ukraine's military intelligence agency, said on Saturday that Russia currently has 420,000 soldiers inside Ukraine.

"Our counteroffensive is proceeding in several directions," Budanov said, admitting that
progress has been slower than he would have liked and describing the situation as difficult.

Besides the vast concentration of Russian mines, he identified a large number of small Russian "kamikaze" drones as a key factor slowing Ukraine's progress so far.