Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine, states that Moscow has reacted “hysterically” to “every step we take” in Donetsk. “The enemy knows that Ukraine will win,” he added.
Ukrainian troops are “shifting to offensive actions” along the frontline, but Kyiv denies Russian reports of a major counteroffensive.
Moscow said it had stopped a major Ukrainian advance in Donetsk, killing 250 soldiers and destroyed 16 tanks.
Hanna Maliar, deputy defense minister of Ukraine, dismissed the allegations, stating that they were intended to divert attention from the Russian losses in Bakhmut.
She stated that Ukrainian forces were “shifting to offensive actions” in certain areas of the frontline. But she refuted claims that this was part of a significant operation.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Moscow has reacted “hysterically” to “every step we take” in Donetsk, just hours after meeting with the British foreign secretary in Kyiv.
He stated, “First and foremost, I am appreciative to each of our warriors and all of our defenders for delivering the expected news. Bakhmut direction – congratulations, warriors!”
Mr. Zelenskyy continued, “The adversary is aware that Ukraine will prevail. They observe it”
Donetsk was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, but Moscow has only partial authority over the city.
Moscow reportedly published drone footage depicting the destruction of Ukrainian equipment.
The head of Russia’s private military, the Wagner Group, also asserted that Ukrainian forces have recaptured a portion of a settlement north of Bakhmut – two weeks after the group spearheaded the successful assault on the eastern city, following the longest battle of the conflict.
Yevgeny Prigozhin characterized the recapture of the Berkhivka region as a “disgrace”
He asked military leaders like Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov to deploy to the front.
“Come on, you can do it!” He communicated via Telegram. “And if you can’t, you’ll die heroes.”
Ms. Maliar of Ukraine stated that the region surrounding Bakhmut remained the “epicenter” of combat and that the Ukrainian military was “moving along a fairly broad front.”
On Monday, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met with Mr. Zelenskyy and Dmytro Kuleba on his second visit to Kyiv.
According to the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, the duo discussed how the United Kingdom can continue to best support Ukraine, from the battlefield to bank guarantees.
The visit coincides with plans for a late June London meeting on economic rehabilitation of Ukraine.
