Destruction continues in Ukraine as Russian forces press forward with their attacks.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mariupol has been reduced nearly to ashes after the Russians seized control of the southern port city. However, promising news that Ukraine’s attempts at fighting back have been more successful gives international leaders hope that the tide may be turning.
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said U.S. intelligence has seen signals that the Ukrainian military is starting to shift to the offensive. Since the invasion began on February 24, the Ukrainian forces have been primarily on the defensive as they worked to fight off the advancement of the Russian troops over its borders.
However, there have been signs indicating a change in Ukrainian tactics in recent days.
In a briefing on Tuesday, Kirby stated the Ukrainian forces have tried to regain territory in the southern tier of the nation near the city of Kherson. Kirby said that the Ukrainians have been defending this region “very smartly, very nimbly, very creatively.”
He also commented he agreed with the places Ukrainian leaders have decided to defend as they turn their efforts toward regaining territory seized by Russians.
In addition, the Ukrainians have taken back the town of Makariv. Located approximately 30 miles west of Kyiv, control of this town is important due to its strategic position as the Russians aim to siege the capital city.
The news of the Ukrainian offensive retaking Makariv came as the mayor of Boryspil, located about 35 kilometers to the east of Kyiv, instructed residents to evacuate the city. In a video statement posted to Facebook, he said fighting was already raging around the region.
It has been clear from the beginning that the Russians had their sights set on taking over Kyiv. While the city has been at the mercy of numerous missile attacks and shellings since the invasion began, Russian forces have not been able to encircle and attack the city as they had hoped.
This failure includes the notable stall of a 40-mile-long Russian military convoy that was not able to roll into the capital as planned.
Russian forces are also reportedly being dragged down by a lack of proper equipment. Their military is said to be suffering from food and fuel shortages as well as poor morale among the troops. These challenges may make it difficult for the Russians to withstand a full assault from the Ukrainians.
“They are going after Russians and pushing them out of places where the Russians have been in the past,” Kirby said. “We have seen this now increase over the last few days.”