from the opinion pages of the Wall Street Journal. This is Free Expression with Jerry Baker.

Hello and welcome to Free Expression. I'm Jerry Baker with the Wall Street Journal editorial page.

I'm delighted you joining us. If you're not already a subscriber, please sign up wherever you get your

podcasts. This week, a new critical phase in the war in Ukraine.

On Sunday, it seems as though the Ukrainian military's long-expected counter-offensive against

Russian positions in the country may have started with a series of artillery and ground

attacks along the line of territory that marks Russia's control in the east of the country.

And then on Monday, in the south, a major attack largely destroyed a key strategic dam on the

Dnipro River that marks part of the front line between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the south.

Ukrainian officials, backed by some US intelligence reports, say the Nova Kakovgadam was

blown by Russian forces, though Moscow says it was the result of a Ukrainian attack. As well as causing

massive damage to homes and settlements in the area, the attack could have important strategic

implications. It may impede large-scale Ukrainian military operations as they develop their counter-offensive

against Russian positions across the river.

But it may also complicate Russia's supply of water to the Crimean Peninsula.

The territories is held since 2015, and also limit Russia's ability to press its assault

on the strategically important city of Kerson.

So where are we in this war?

Could we now be in the early stages of a new crucial phase? Can the Ukrainian offensive succeed?

And what does it mean for the continuing US support for Kiev? Is the new counteroffensive,

if that's what it is, a critical measure of the effectiveness of U.S. military assistance.

And what should the U.S. do if this counteroffensive fails to break the deadlock?

...