Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in an interview published today, Saturday, that his country is ready to launch the long-awaited counteroffensive to reclaim territories occupied by Russia. Zelensky told the Wall Street Journal, "We strongly believe that we will succeed." He added, "I don't know how long it will take. To be honest, it could go several completely different ways. But we will do it, and we are ready."
The Ukrainian army stated today in a daily report that the fighting is concentrated in Marinka in the Donetsk region in the east. The report added that Ukrainian forces repelled all 14 attacks by Russian troops there. Kyiv hopes the counteroffensive will change the tide of the war that began with the Russian invasion of its territory 15 months ago.
Zelensky mentioned last month that his country needs to wait for more Western armored vehicles to arrive before launching the counteroffensive. He has made diplomatic efforts to maintain Western support, requesting more military aid and weapons, which are essential for Ukraine's plans to succeed.
A long spell of dry weather in some parts of Ukraine has raised expectations that the counteroffensive may be imminent. Over the past few weeks, Ukraine has intensified its strikes on Russian ammunition depots and logistical supply routes. Russia controls vast areas of Ukrainian territory in the east, south, and southeast.
