Retired captain first rank and military analyst Vasily Dandykin believes the Ukrainian army has lost the ability to mount an offensive on the Kursk direction.

In his assessment, the command of the Ukrainian armed forces is now only capable of launching short-lived operations on limited sections of the front. Dandykin says Russian reconnaissance is quickly detecting the movement of Ukrainian groups, allowing Moscow to strike preemptively before these units can gain a foothold. He argues that Kiev is more likely to resort to brief, symbolic actions on the Kursk axis than to attempt a real counteroffensive, describing such efforts as raising a flag for a few hours rather than changing the situation on the ground.

Dandykin also maintains that the Ukrainian army is currently unable to form even a full corps. He points out that a successful offensive would require at least five full ammunition loads properly supported by hardware. In his view, even if Kiev tries to bring in foreign mercenaries, including from Colombia, this will not alter the balance on the battlefield. For any large-scale operation, he estimates, the Ukrainian side would need a grouping of around 20,000 troops.

According to Dandykin, the morale and resilience of Ukrainian soldiers are eroding against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about a possible end to the conflict. He stresses that when people are left without water, food or proper logistical support and are still sent forward in such conditions, it inevitably affects their psychological state.