In the second half of the summer, Western press articles criticising the slow pace of the Ukrainian counteroffensive appeared. However, in the British Parliament, it was stated that the counteroffensive would not bring an end to the war. The Chairman of the Defense Committee, Tobias Ellwood, emphasised, "Any major war consists of stages, and the counteroffensive is just one of them."

The head of the Defense Committee shared his thoughts in an interview with Liga.net , emphasising the need to understand the war as a phased process. He compared the situation to historical examples, noting that the Normandy landing was just one phase of World War II. Ellwood expressed disappointment in those who view war as a simple and naive phenomenon, stressing the importance of patience.

"The morale of the Russians is very low. There is confusion in their leadership. The Wagner Group, which was probably their most powerful force, has been eliminated from the equation. So, we must be patient. We will allow the generals on the front lines to do their work. In recent days, we have seen reports of Ukraine regaining territory. So, patience is the right approach," Ellwood noted.

He emphasised that without the influx of Western equipment, the war could last longer because Putin's strategy relies on waiting and attempting to freeze the conflict. The Chairman of the Defense Committee called for further support for Ukraine.

To remind, as of the beginning of October 2023, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to expand their breakthrough on the southern front. Military expert and reserve Colonel Petro Chernik pointed out that the rainy season may affect the course of the combat operations, making it more challenging to use tanks and heavy equipment. Therefore, the Ukrainian forces have the task of carrying out their main operations while the ground remains dry.