NATO StratCom Chief says Ukraine’s counter-offensive has entered its initial phase

The initial phase of Ukraine’s counter-offensive against Russian occupying forces has begun. This phase prepares the groundwork to ensure success, said the director of NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence Jānis Sārts in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma on Wednesday, the 24th of May.
According to him, this can be explained also with the attack of the Russian Volunteer Battalion on Russia’s Belgorod Oblast. “In this case, I believe the attempt was to bring in additional Russian forces to this region,” said Sārts.

He said he doubts the attack on Belgorod could have been planned by Russians without the knowledge and support from Ukraine.

According to the expert, seeing the promises from the West to supply even newer military equipment to Ukraine, it allows for the conclusion that countries believe in Ukraine’s ability to win and no longer believe Russia’s nuclear bluff.
Also read: US distances from the attacks near Belgorod