Biden administration officials believe the offensive began on Monday with a Ukrainian thrust south along multiple axes. A major goal is to cut the land bridge across southeastern Ukraine that connects Russia with its occupation forces in Crimea, U.S. officials believe. Part of Ukraine's strategy appears to be an attack along several lanes, so they can move forces among them to hit targets of greatest opportunity.
Administration officials were encouraged by better-than-expected progress Monday, as Ukrainian units pushed through heavily mined areas to advance between five and 10 kilometers in some areas of the long front. That raised hopes that Ukrainian forces can keep thrusting toward Mariupol, Melitopol and other Russian-held places along the coast — severing the land bridge.
So a clear U.S. assessment that Ukraine had outperformed expectations yet again with the space of 24 hours. Then the Kakhovka dam bursts a day later.
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) June 6, 2023
Opinion | Counteroffensive Against Russia is Ukraine's D-Day - The Washington Post
