Russia: Ukrainian Counteroffensive Not Going as Planned

Russia stated today that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is not proceeding as planned and that Ukraine is wasting billions of dollars worth of weaponry provided by the West. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu mentioned in a military conference that Ukraine is "desperately pushing new forces" into attacks on Russian positions, but has failed to achieve progress. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that "the resources sent by NATO worth billions of dollars to the Kyiv regime are actually being consumed inefficiently and ineffectively." He added that Kyiv, for this reason, resorts to "desperate actions" such as the drone attack on the business district of Moscow yesterday. Peskov confirmed that "all possible measures" are being taken in Moscow and elsewhere to prevent such attacks. For its part, Ukraine indicated that it is making gradual progress, albeit slower than desired, since launching its much-anticipated counteroffensive in early June against well-fortified Russian positions.