Have been defeated

Top US general: "Russian strategic objectives have been defeated" in Ukraine

Michael Conte, Ellie Kaufman, and Christian Sierra

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, the top US general, said that “so far, Russian strategic objectives have been defeated” in Ukraine.

“Despite being outgunned and outmanned, the Ukrainians have demonstrated superior tactical proficiency, and they've demonstrated a superior will to fight, fight for their own country, fight for their freedom,” said Milley at a news conference with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Ramstein, Germany.

Milley said that Russia has been “defeated” in its offensive that began in April after its failures early in the invasion.

“Their operational objectives in that offensive have not been successful. They have not achieved all of the Donbas, and they have only crossed the Dnipro River in the south in the vicinity of Kherson,” said Milley.

Milley also said while it’s too early to fully assess Ukraine’s newly launched offensive near Kherson, “Ukraine is effectively using their fires to shape the ground maneuver as they continue their offensive.”

Milley also said the progress of Ukrainian forces near Kherson has been “steady” and “deliberate.”

“I would characterize it as a very deliberate offensive operation that is calibrated to set conditions and then seize their objectives,” the general said.

Milley also denied that Ukraine’s military is overstretched fighting Russia from Kharkiv in the north to Kherson in the south.

“They're continuing the fight. They've got the forces to do it, and we'll see how this plays out,” said Milley.