Ukraine's counteroffensive is a 'catastrophe', says former Zelensky adviser

Alexey Arestovich resigned from the post of presidential adviser after a scandal over Ukrainian air defense systems. Photo: Alexey Chumachenko/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images < p>A former adviser to the President of Ukraine called Kiev’s stalled counteroffensive a “catastrophe” and accused Vladimir Zelensky of strategic mistakes.

Alexey Arestovich said that Zelensky and his military commanders failed to break through the Russian lines and that Ukraine now needs a new leader.

“They are not telling the truth. There will be no return to the 1991 borders, and there will be no Crimea any time soon,” he said.

Mr Arestovich resigned in January as a presidential adviser after a scandal over the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defense systems.

Ukrainian prosecutors this week opened an investigation into Mr. Arestovich for comments that allegedly promoted violence against women. He denied the accusations.

A former adviser to Vladimir Zelensky called Ukraine's counter-offensive a missed opportunity. Photo: APAImages/Shutterstock

In a statement published on the X website, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Arestovich said Mr Zelensky had made “corrupt and inadequate decisions” and called the counter-offensive a missed opportunity.

“Beyond the strategic mistakes” in this area, strategic mistakes are emerging in public administration, foreign and domestic policy,” he said.

Public criticism of Zelensky is rare in Ukraine, although frustration is growing after 20 months of war. The US wants Ukraine to hold presidential elections as planned next year and has also called on Zelensky to crack down on corruption.

Some Western officials also said Ukraine's NATO-backed counter-offensive had failed. as it was able to recapture only part of the territory along the vast front line.

Trench systems and minefields are obstacles

Ukrainian commanders said that Russian trench systems and minefields slowed them down.

G- Arestovich said that instead of getting involved in the battles near Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region, the Ukrainian army should have concentrated on breaking through the southern front lines and preparing its own defense.

“We are now at a stage of impasse. The Russians can't beat us, we can't beat them,» he said.

That assessment was echoed by Vladimir Putin, who took a break from meetings with leaders of former Soviet states in Kyrgyzstan to tell a pro-Kremlin interviewer that the counteroffensive Ukraine failed.

“Our forces are improving their positions in almost all directions,” Putin said on Sunday.