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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at video conference (archive)
Photo: IMAGO/Pool /Ukrainian Presidentia / IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed the start of Ukrainian counterattacks along the front. As part of the defense, counterattacks were underway in Ukraine, he said at a press conference in Kyiv. "I won't say in detail what stage they are in." He left open whether this is the beginning of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, which has been expected for months.
At the same time, Zelensky contradicted Russian President Vladimir Putin. He had claimed on Friday that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had begun, but missed the goals he had set himself. He would not believe either Telegram channels or Putin, who declared the failure of the offensive, Zelensky said. He is in daily contact with his generals and they are "in a good mood".
Tanks from Germany
The Ukrainian General Staff has not yet announced anything about the start of the counteroffensive, but it would not come as a surprise. An offensive by the Ukrainian army has been expected since March. For their implementation, Kiev has received numerous weapons systems from Western allies, including German Leopard infantry fighting vehicles.
With the major offensive, the Ukrainian leadership wants to recapture territories of its own country occupied by Russia since February 2022. Recently, there have been reports of heavy fighting in the south of Ukraine.
RAI/DPA