Hetman: In Summer, The AFU May Carry Out A Major Offensive, As In Kharkiv In 2022

• 4.06.2026, 8:02

The initiative is on Ukraine's side.

The Ukrainian defense forces have already seized the tactical initiative on the front, which could potentially develop into a strategic initiative - up to a large-scale Ukrainian breakthrough, as in the Kharkiv region in the fall of 2022. This opinion was voiced by military analyst Alexey Getman on the air of "Ukrainian Radio".

Answering a question about whether the Ukrainian Defense Forces are capable of carrying out an armored breakthrough at the front, Getman said that it is quite possible.

The expert noted that in order to achieve a significant advance of dozens of kilometers, it is necessary to use equipment: armored vehicles, light vehicles, buggies and motorcycles.

"You cannot advance far on foot in small groups. Given the way drones attack and what anti-tank means are available - from RPG-7s to drones - we can assume that we will carry out a large-scale tank breakthrough," he noted.

The initiative is on the side of the AFU

Also, when asked whether the Ukrainian Armed Forces have retaken the initiative in the war and whether this will be confirmed in the summer, the analyst said, "Yes. Because the number of combat clashes has leveled off. It used to be lower, almost zero. Now it has increased and actually equalized with the Russian one. This is a tactical initiative."

Hetman said that on some parts of the front the advantage is on the side of Ukrainian fighters, and on some parts we even have an advantage in manpower and equipment.

"There are all signs that the initiative, at least tactical, is already on our side. Not yet strategic, but in our hands. If this trend continues, the Russians will already have to retreat. This may remind us of the Kherson or Kharkov operations," he said.