Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner forces, stated that "the attack by the Ukrainian armed forces has already begun," confirming that "the fighters are in control of the front lines internally." In a statement, he said, "I believe that everything has already started, but when it will enter an active phase? I think it will be in the near future." He added, "We are seeing the highest activity of enemy aviation, along the perimeter and within our front lines." Prigozhin pointed out that "the counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces will enter an active phase in the near future."