Hear what Ukrainian officials are telling Fmr. US Ambassador about a counter-offensive

The Ukrainian city of Dnipro is recovering from a deadly Russian attack on a medical complex that killed two people and injured dozens. CNN senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen is key for us right now, Fred. Ukraine says this was once again a deliberate Russian attack on Ukrainian civilians. What else are you learning about this latest strike? Hello, wolf. What are they saying? It is a deliberate attack with missiles normally used to shoot down aircraft. They are called S-300 or S-400 missiles. And if you use them in a ground-to-ground configuration, the Ukrainians say they are extremely inaccurate and can cause mass carnage if fired in urban areas.

This is exactly

what

happened today in the city of Dnieper. Here's

what

we're learning The horrific aftermath of another Russian airstrike, hitting a medical center in Dnipro, killing two people and wounding dozens, as Moscow launched another round of drone and missile strikes against targets across Ukraine . But kyiv says this time they managed to shoot down all the cruise missiles and almost all the charred drones supplied by Iran. CNN gained rare access to a key component of Ukraine's air defense. The Germans made the Gephardt anti-aircraft system known as the idiot-killing site that much of the time it is essential to.

Radar operator Olé tells me that there may be three or four targets and that we must destroy them one by one. The computer system makes it as easy as possible for the gunner to succeed the Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian forces gave us this video which they say shows a breach destroying several Iranian-made drones and this one even shot down a cruise missile late last year. Yes, shots. It is part of Ukraine's increasingly effective air defense, mostly supplied by the West, in layers, short, medium and long range, including US-made Patriots that Washington and kyiv say have even managed to eliminate the dreaded Russian dye.

While hypersonic missiles that can travel ten times the speed of sound and that Putin claimed were invincible. The commander of Ukraine's joint forces tells me that systems supplied by the United States and its allies are making a difference, as is the Kremlin. We have means to combat tin gels and ballistic missiles, as well as cruise missiles and attack drones, he tells me. And the percentage is constantly increasing. Now, the efficiency of this episode is perfectly over 80%. And as the Ukrainian military prepares for a large-scale

counter

offensive

, strong protection against threats from the sky will be crucial. The Ukrainians say they fully understand that an effective air defense will be critical to their upcoming

counter

offensive

, not only to protect critical infrastructure and munitions, but also to defend advancing forces.

Into what kind of sea will the enemy throw all available forces to reduce the combat potential of our offensive, the general tells me. Success during the advance and liberation of Ukrainian territory will depend on high-quality air defense and the lives of civilians on the ground also depend on it to prevent attacks like in Dnipro, where once again so many people were injured. So there will be more news tonight, Wolf. from the occupied Russian city of Mariupol. Apparently there are some explosions going on there. The authorities there, the Russian authorities based there, say they believe it was long-distance Ukrainian rockets that hit targets there.

Of course, we now know about Mariupol, one of the Russians' main staging points in their war in Ukraine. And, of course, we also know that some believe Wolf could already be shaping operations for that Ukrainian offensive. Fred Pleitgen reporting from Ukraine. Stay safe. Fred, thank you very much. Joining us now to discuss these latest developments on the Ukraine front is CNN military analyst, retired US Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton, along with former US

ambassador

to Ukraine, William Taylor. Colonel Leighton, Russia has a proven track record of attacking medical targets, but is this attack also a reaction to the expected Ukrainian counteroffensive that is about to begin?

It might as well be, Wolf. And the reason I say this is that they were clearly launching artillery tours into areas where they believe the Ukrainians are placing their armed forces. And Dnipro would be the perfect place for the Ukrainians to form and then advance south, particularly to go after the land bridge the Russians have established between Crimea and the Donbas. Ambassador Taylor, I know you just returned from a meeting with senior Ukrainian

officials

in kyiv, the capital. What do you

hear

from them about their preparation for this offensive, this counteroffensive? Wolf, they are ready. We spoke with the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as with soldiers, both private soldiers who are going to return to the front.

Lieutenant, what is General? They are ready. As you just reported, they are very happy with the weapons they have obtained, their ability to shoot down these missiles, but also all the armor they have obtained to go after this great counteroffensive. Colonel Leighton, you just

hear

d a report from Fred Pleitgen from kyiv on the success Ukraine's air defenses have had against these incoming Russian rockets and missiles. But the Netherlands is apparently now delaying the official shipment of its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. How strong is Ukraine's offensive offensive capability in the air? Well, certainly without the F-16, of course, it is weaker than it would otherwise be.

But the Ukrainians were not going to get the F-16 before this offensive or even during this offensive. Their offensive capabilities are quite strong and they have the ability to move with their tanks. They have the ability to move with their armored personnel carriers. And they also have the remains of their air force, which is really effective against the Russians. And also, as Fred pointed out, the integrated air defense capabilities that they have are substantial. And that will make a big difference because it will protect the Ukrainian forces as they advance. Ambassador Taylor, Ukraine has so far not claimed responsibility for this latest explosion in Mariupol.

But are Ukrainian

officials

stepping up attacks on Russian-controlled territories in Ukraine and on Russian soil, as part of their strategy to prepare for an offensive? They absolutely are. They absolutely are. They are going after the ammunition depots. They're going after headquarters. They go after the communications nodes. They are preparing for this counteroffensive. And that means eliminating the Russians' ability to move, communicate, and command their troops. Ambassador Taylor, thank you very much. Colonel Leighton, thank you.