Ukrainian Army Chief Reveals Plans to Form Unit to Carry Out Counterattacks Against Russia This Year

JAKARTA - The Ukrainian military will immediately stabilize the situation on the battlefield and plans to form units to carry out counterattacks against Russia later this year, a military commander said on Wednesday.

"We will immediately stabilize the situation," explained Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, who was recently appointed as Head of the Ukrainian Army, as reported by Reuters, March 7.

"And do everything possible to prepare troops to take more active action, and to take the initiative," he continued.

He further said that the current work aims to withdraw military units that have lost their potential and restore them to then form a force for counteroffensive actions this year.

Ukrainian forces suffered a setback after nine months of largely stable frontlines, when the eastern city of Avdiivka fell to Russians in early February after months of devastating attacks.

Ukrainian troops were forced to abandon several settlements around the city, due to continued Russian attacks amid dwindling ammunition supplies. A crucial aid package from the US has been suspended by Republicans in Congress.

Last month, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia would try to launch a new offensive this spring or summer, but Kyiv had its own battlefield plans.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy told state television on Wednesday that Russian troops were now unable to gain new territory near Avdiivka.

Lykhoviy restated his previous assessment that Russian forces were instead focusing on areas to the south, near the village of Novomykhailivka.

Meanwhile Maksym Zhorin, a Ukrainian commander in the region, also said Russian troops had had difficulty making progress since the capture of Avdiivka and a number of surrounding villages. Their final target, he said, was the village of Orlivka.

"They continue to try to advance and make progress wherever possible," Zhorin wrote on Telegram, adding that despite significant losses, they continued to launch attacks, both day and night.