American-made cluster munitions have arrived in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Brig. Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavsky and the Pentagon. Tarnavsky, commander of the “Tavria” Joint Forces Operation, stated that while the munitions have not been used yet, they have the potential to change the battlefield. The delivery of these controversial munitions raised eyebrows, as they are banned in over 100 countries. However, Ukrainian forces, facing low supplies of standard artillery rounds, are grateful for the support. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assured that Ukraine will only use the cluster munitions in appropriate places and has committed in writing not to use them in populated areas. The Pentagon echoed this sentiment, stating that Ukraine has no interest in using the munitions near civilian populations, unlike the Russians.
In an interview with CNN, Brig. Gen. Tarnavsky discussed Ukraine’s ongoing offensives and their progress in the south. He acknowledged that the counteroffensive has not been as successful as desired due to the powerful preparations made by the Russians. The Russians have created dense minefields, making movement difficult for Ukrainian troops and turning their de-mining equipment into targets. As a result, Ukraine has had to economize on its artillery usage and is attempting to make progress along the southern front. Tarnavsky likened the current fighting to boxing, where they are keeping the opponent at arm’s length to prevent close combat.
Ukraine’s strategy involves targeting command and control nodes beyond the frontlines. This week, they successfully struck the reserve command post of Russian Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, causing his injury and death. Tarnavsky acknowledged the strategically destabilizing nature of such victories, as the loss of a commander can create confusion among Russian personnel. He also noted the recent disappearance of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, which has caused chaos on the Russian side. Despite acknowledging the power and seriousness of the Wagner organization, Tarnavsky believes that events like these positively impact Ukraine’s actions and success.
Overall, Ukraine is grateful for the arrival of American-made cluster munitions, which they plan to use in appropriate places while avoiding civilian areas. They continue to face challenges in their counteroffensive against Russian forces, particularly due to the extensive minefields set up by the Russians. However, Ukraine remains determined to make progress along the southern front and disrupt Russian command and control nodes. The recent successes in eliminating high-ranking Russian military figures have had a destabilizing effect on the Russian side. Ukraine hopes to capitalize on these developments to further their objectives on the battlefield.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-07-14 04:03:00
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