Ukraine is ready to start the long-awaited counterattack, in an interview with the newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding that it “may take some time” and “cost a lot.”
“We are firmly convinced that we will succeed” in the counteroffensive, Zelensky said, admitting that “I don’t know how long it will take.”
“Honestly, it could go a number of different ways,” he said, adding that “we’re preparing for it and we’re ready.”
Zelensky also acknowledged Russia’s air superiority on the front lines and said the Ukrainians lacked protection against enemy aircraft, meaning “a large number of soldiers will die” in a counterattack. As Zelensky said, Ukraine would like to have more weapons from the West for a future counterattack, but Ukrainian soldiers are ready for an attack.
“We would like to have concrete things, but we cannot wait for months,” concluded the Ukrainian president.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine’s ground forces are “stronger and more motivated” than Russian forces, which are trying to keep under their control about 20% of the Ukrainian territory they have occupied in the east and south of the country.
In an interview with the WSJ, Zelensky thanked Ukraine’s partners for military assistance, adding that Ukraine needs more weapons to repel an enemy attack, and supplies should be “faster and more extensive.”
The president of Ukraine admitted that the leaders of Western countries “tend to take offense at the harsh tone” and he does not understand why they do not supply more modern weapons that “would protect lives and help Ukraine win”. If Ukraine cannot stand up to Russia, as Zelensky said, “this beast will have a taste for conquest and will move on.”
“Let’s not compete over who owes thanks to whom,” Zelenskiy called.
In particular, Zelensky highlighted the need for Patriot missile systems, which allow protecting cities and soldiers on the front lines. Ukraine currently has at least two such systems, but should have 50, Zelensky said, stressing that it is the “only system” capable of intercepting several types of Russia’s advanced missiles.
At a joint press conference with Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv on Friday, Zelensky announced that the goal of the counter-attack is the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories. When the Ukrainian soldiers begin to liberate their territories from the Russian occupiers, the Ukrainians will understand that a counterattack is underway.
Read also: Ukraine announces the creation of the European part of the “coalition of destroyers”.
2023-06-04 06:44:41
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