[indiscernible] we are --host: we are back and

joined by michael kofman, russia studies program director at the neighbor -- center for naval analyses, to discuss the russia- ukraine conflict and the anticipated ukraine counteroffensive. tell reviewers right now -- our viewers right now where we are in this conflict between russia and ukraine. guest: i think where we are is back in january, russia launched the windsor offensive, ill-conceived. russian forces were not well-positioned to conduct major offensive operations. ukraine defended in almost every place against the attacks. the russian offensive has largely culminated. the russian military has shifted

largely to a defensive posture in anticipation of a major offensive. in the 0-- bakhmut, russian forces, led by wegner, they have captured most of the city, although it is unclear what will happen with their campaign because there is a lot of infighting between wagner forces conceived russian military. the city might largely be taken over by russian regular forces. this is a transitional phase. they are anticipating a major ukrainian offensive in the coming weeks. that offensive will likely give ukraine back the initiative. the heart operation will go where it is going to be. whether there is one or several

operations remains to be seen. i would think of it more as a series of operations that are likely to play out over the course of months rather than one specific event over several weeks. i hope that makes sense. host: we have heard tops about -- talks about this group this week. who are they? what is their connection to the russian army and vladimir putin? guest: it a complex not to untie. wagner started a couple of years ago as a mercenary group, had bold connections to the state. it is tied into the russian political leadership. wagner has been used excessively in russian conflicts, ukraine, syria and the east and africa.

will find them off rating that she will find wagner operating largely on its own in different african countries. they are mercenaries but also a form of the russian state. in ukraine specifically, wagner has been both operating at hundred mostly in the area where it is fighting -- operating autonomously in the area where it is fighting but also tied in with the russian airborne. it is seen as a competitor by the military. the head of weight and are -- of wagner often criticizes the russian military and the chief general staff. on the one hand, they're not able to win fights that he is not able to win fights with them because they are more politically connected. on the other hand, he remains protected by vladimir putin. you have these messy campaigns

without unity of command, without unity of force taking place between wagner emcees and thesunday at noon eastern

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