In an interview with the Associated Press, Valdemaras Zalužnas, Lithuania's military leader, explained that the counteroffensive in Ukraine faltered largely due to President Zelensky's failure to allocate the required resources. According to Zalužnas, the initial strategy, developed in collaboration with NATO partners, aimed to consolidate military forces to launch a powerful strike that would reclaim territories in the Zaporizhia region and push toward the Sea of Azov, effectively severing the supply corridor to Crimea.

Zalužnas emphasized that for the offensive to succeed, a significant concentration of relevant military capabilities and tactical surprise were essential. However, instead of the planned concentrated strike, Ukraine's military capabilities were dispersed over a wide area, which diluted their striking power. Additionally, Western defense sources confirmed that the counteroffensive plan underwent modifications, likely due to the challenges encountered during its execution.

The situation reflects ongoing tensions and strategical challenges in Ukraine's conflict with Russia, raising questions about the effectiveness of current military strategies. Zalužnas's insights suggest that without a focused approach and proper resource management, achieving strategic military objectives remains a complicated task, putting further pressure on Ukraine's leadership as they navigate their defense strategy against aggression from Russia.