KYIV (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Saturday that Ukrainian troops were making progress in their counteroffensive against Russian forces, contradicting Western officials who claim that Ukraine’s advances are too slow.
The counteroffensive, which has been ongoing for almost three months, has resulted in the recapture of over a dozen villages, but no major settlements have been retaken due to vast Russian minefields and defensive positions.
This week, unnamed U.S. officials expressed frustration over the slow pace of the operation and even criticized Ukrainian strategy, leading to Kyiv’s displeasure, as reported by Western sources.
“Ukrainian forces are advancing. Despite all obstacles and regardless of what others may say, we are moving forward, and that is the most important thing. We are on the move,” Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Concerns have arisen that Western support may diminish as the colder and wetter weather in the coming months slows progress on the battlefield. The West has provided substantial financial aid for the counteroffensive, and Kyiv asserts that it requires additional support.
Momentum on the Ukrainian battlefield has slightly increased in a section of the southeastern Zaporizhzhia front, according to Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar, who stated on Friday that Ukrainian troops had breached the first line of Russian defenses.
The White House acknowledged Ukraine’s “notable success” in the area; however, Maliar cautioned that after breaking through, Ukrainian troops encountered even more heavily fortified positions on the other side.
In the Ukrainian military’s daily battlefield update, no new breakthroughs were reported; nevertheless, it stated that its troops continued their advance towards Melitopol, a major urban center under Russian occupation in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The Ukrainian military reported 45 combat clashes on the frontlines in the past 24 hours and stated that fighting was ongoing in the east, where Ukrainian troops repelled multiple Russian attacks.
Russia has already labeled the Ukrainian counteroffensive a failure. Kyiv asserts that it has deliberately advanced slowly to minimize losses, and its progress has been significantly hindered by the absence of modern air power.
(Reporting by Olena Harmash; editing by Tom Balmforth and Ros Russell)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
