So far the Ukrainian military has been ineffective. If this offensive fails and the “separatists” remain in control of key areas of eastern Ukraine, a separate “republic” will be established and Russia will take control the way Turkey took part of Cyprus.
They've actually done about as well as can be expected. A significant number of Ukrainian military units had been suborned by Russia. Most of its personnel are conscripts. The equipment is decrepit. Looking back to the mission in Somalia, US specs ops personnel (Rangers, SEALS and Green Berets) lost 2 choppers and 19 men against a bunch of militia rabble, whereas the Ukrainians have lost men mainly to defections, despite (1) difficulties with Benedict Arnolds, (2) equipment issues, (3) training issues and (4) sheer lack of combat experience.
Going up against the Russian military/intelligence apparatus with Ukraine’s current resources is like David with a broken arm going up against Goliath.
It seems for most new conscripts particularly for the the National Guard, they should train them in guerrilla tactics, create an infrastructure for an underground resistance, and be ready for a partisan insurgency.
I know the East thinks of Bandera as a Nazi, but he was a nationalist ( not socialist ) fighting a partisan war against Stalin’s Soviet Russia. He aligned with Hitler, but if your choice is Hitler or Stalin, who would you pick ( particularly with Stalin wanting to deport ALL Ukrainians and killing mainly through a manufactured starvation about 25% of the population )?