Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made a significant announcement, stating that Ukraine is prepared to launch a long-awaited counteroffensive to reclaim territories currently under Russian occupation. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Zelenskiy expressed his confidence in the operation’s success, while acknowledging the potential challenges and costs involved.
Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine’s unwavering belief in achieving their objectives, stating, “We strongly believe that we will succeed.” However, he also acknowledged that the duration and outcome of the counteroffensive remain uncertain. Despite not receiving all the anticipated weaponry for the Ukrainian Army, Zelenskiy stressed that further delay is not an option. He has actively sought increased military aid and weapons from Western countries to support Ukraine’s efforts.
Presently, Russian forces occupy territories in eastern, southern, and southeastern Ukraine. Zelenskiy underlined the pressing need for additional Patriot missile-defense systems, particularly those made in the United States, to safeguard Ukrainian citizens from Russian air strikes and protect troops on the front lines. Without adequate defense against aerial attacks, Zelenskiy cautioned that a significant number of soldiers may lose their lives during the forthcoming counteroffensive.
Deputy Defense Minister Volodymyr Havrylov drew attention to the recent wave of Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, describing them as an “unprecedented” effort to hinder the planned operation. He noted that Russia’s increased use of ballistic missiles in May was a last resort, indicating the significance of the situation. Nonetheless, Ukraine’s air-defense systems have displayed remarkable effectiveness, intercepting over 90 percent of these attacks.
In a separate development, Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, associated with the Wagner mercenary group, accused certain factions within the Kremlin of undermining the state. Prigozhin criticized unnamed officials in the Russian elite for engaging in “dangerous games” and expressed doubts about the readiness of the Defense Ministry to take action. This echoes his previous criticisms of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov.
