Shmyhal on summer offensive: Russians show inability to take decisive action

This was stated by Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal in an interview with BBC Ukraine, responding to a question about whether there are signs of the end of the Russian summer offensive, according to Ukrinform.

“As of today, no. It [the summer offensive] continues. But overall, the front line is stable. And the Russians are demonstrating their inability to make any breakthroughs,” Shmyhal said.

He added that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are inflicting huge losses on the Russian army, bleeding it dry and exhausting it.

Also, when asked whether the Ukrainian army is exhausted, Shmyhal emphasized that Ukrainians do not have the option to “surrender.”

“When partners ask me if we are tired, I say, ‘How can you not be tired after four years of war? But when your life is at stake, you have no chance of being exhausted. We may be tired, but we must continue to fight economically, militarily, by any means necessary,’” he stressed.

Shmyhal also wants international partners to help put sufficient pressure on the Russians, both on the battlefield and through sanctions, and bring them to the negotiating table.

“There must be arms supplies that will give us, if not an advantage, then parity in this war. On the other hand, there must be pressure in return — sanctions that will financially bleed the enemy dry. The strong sanctions proposed by Congressman Lindsey Graham, which I hope will be supported by President Trump, can create such a counterforce. Then there will be less and less room for Putin, for his manipulations, for his economic and military survival,” the minister explained.

Shmyhal emphasized that the faster and stronger these two factors act, the fairer the negotiations will be.

“If these two factors are not present, the negotiations may continue, but it is more likely that we and our partners will be led around in circles at this diplomatic negotiating table,” he stressed.

The minister noted that international partners provided what they could, for which Ukraine is grateful.

“And with the support of our partners — financial and military — we have held out for four years and liberated 50% of the territories that had been occupied since 2022. Our partners are ready to continue helping,” Shmyhal assured.

He recalled that last Monday, July 21, another Ramstein meeting took place, which turned out to be quite successful, with certain promises from partners and a fairly active position from the United States, in which US Secretary of Defense Pete Hagerty personally participated. Germany and Britain are also leading the way in Ramstein at the ministerial level today.

“The German position is very strong; they are ready to provide us with Patriots, ready to allocate funds, to buy them from the US. We are seeing a certain consolidation of partners today. And I don’t want to call it a ‘second wind’, but I believe it is another stage of consolidation, of strengthening support from our partners,” Shmyhal said.

He added that Ukraine has voiced its needs for this and next year, and its partners have taken them into account. They are also ready to impose sanctions.

“Europe has introduced 18 packages, and these are good sanctions that put pressure on Russia’s economy. We expect the United States to make its move if Putin does not seek to truly end this war. I believe that the United States will make its move. And this will be the next stage in reducing Russia’s space. I cannot call this optimism, I look at it very realistically, and so far, what is happening gives me hope,” the minister said.

Shmyhal also stressed that Ukraine is very close to having its own ballistics.

As reported by Ukrinform, there are fewer combat clashes in the Zaporizhzhia direction, but the invaders have intensified their activity and are using guided aerial bombs, artillery, strike drones, and small assault groups in the Kamianske area.

Ukrinform photos can be purchased here