UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 652 - DECEMBER 6, 2023

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has stated that thanks to Western security support, the Ukrainian armed forces have managed to recapture half of the territory occupied by Russia since February 24, 2022.

In an interview with Fox News on December 5, Umerov attributed the success of the Ukrainian counteroffensive so far to Western security support and stated that the Ukrainian armed forces have a plan for 2024. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on November 8 that the Ukrainian armed forces have planned several advance routes for 2024 to liberate further occupied territories.

The ISW continues to believe that Ukraine must liberate strategically important areas still under Russian occupation to ensure the long-term security and economic viability of Ukraine. Umerov also stated that Ukraine plans to conduct all calculations for procurement, acquisition, planning, and operations according to NATO standards, and that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's top priority is Ukraine's accession to NATO. Adopting NATO standards throughout the entire Ukrainian military and defense apparatus will facilitate NATO oversight of current and future Western security assistance to Ukraine.

The complete Russian Offensive Update 652 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR