 Analysts predict under what conditions Ukrainian counter-offensive will be successful. American analysts have named three options for the development of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, the most successful of which are steady pressure, interdiction campaign, and the creation of gaps in Russian defence lines. This was said in an article by Karolina Herd and Katarina Stepanenko, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War, together with Frederick Kagan, an expert at the American Enterprise Institute for Time magazine. The article says that the situation in Ukraine remains favourable for Kiev despite the limited progress made in the counter-offensive. American analysts pointed out the options for the development of the Defence Forces counter-offensive under which it will be successful. First, the current Ukrainian mechanised breakthrough could be successful and the Ukrainians could exploit it deeply enough to break part, or all, of the Russian defence lines. Second, Russian troops already suffering from serious morale and other systemic problems could break under pressure and begin a controlled or uncontrolled withdrawal. Third, steady pressure and interdiction campaign, supported by a large-scale effort such as the one currently underway, could create gaps in Russian defence lines that Ukrainian forces could exploit first at the local level and then for deeper invasion. The experts consider the first and second options possible but relatively unlikely. The third is the most likely path to Ukraine's success. It will be slower and more gradual than the other two and slower than Western supporters of Ukraine want and expect.