President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has verified that his nation’s long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia has begun.
“Counteroffensive and defensive actions are taking place,” he said on Saturday.
However, he added that he would not elaborate on the stage or condition of the counter-offensive.
The words follow an increase of hostilities in the south and east of Ukraine and rumours about the projected advance.
According to reports, Ukrainian forces have advanced in the east near Bakhmut and the south near Zaporizhia, and have conducted long-range attacks against Russian targets.
However, assessing the actuality on the front lines is difficult, as the two warring parties present contradictory narratives: Ukraine claims progress, while Russia says it is repelling attacks.
In a video interview published on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin also stated that Ukrainian forces had launched their offensive. But that attempts to advance had failed with heavy casualties.
In Kyiv, Mr. Zelensky called Putin’s words “interesting” after meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mr. Zelensky, shrugging his shoulders, raising his eyebrows, and feigning ignorance of who Mr. Putin was, stated that Russia needed to believe that “they do not have much time left.”
He also stated that Ukraine’s military commanders were in a good mood, adding, “Tell that to Putin.
During the clandestine visit, Mr. Trudeau announced 500 million Canadian dollars (approximately £297 million) in new military aid for Ukraine.
Canada supports Ukraine’s membership in NATO “as soon as conditions allow for it,” according to a joint statement issued after the discussions. The issue will be discussed at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July.
Drone debris strikes Odesa homes
The news conference followed a nighttime Russian strike in southern Ukrainian city Odesa that killed three and injured scores.
Ukrainian officials said a Black Sea port city residential structure caught fire from falling debris from a shot-down Russian drone.
A distinct overnight Russian assault targeted an airfield in Poltava’s central district.
The Ukrainian air force reported that eight land-based missiles and thirty-five drones were used in the six-hour attack on Odesa and that air defense units were able to fire down twenty drones and two cruise missiles.
“As a result of the air battle, debris from one of the drones fell onto a high-rise apartment building, causing a fire,” said Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for the southern military command.
According to emergency services, 27 people, including three children, were injured and the fire was swiftly extinguished. They reported that twelve individuals were rescued from the building.
Images showed a severely devastated apartment block in Odesa, with rooms covered in debris and windows blown out. Others demonstrated an enormous crater on the ground.
An airfield in the central region of Poltava was also attacked by Russian forces early on Saturday morning, with the local governor stating that cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones were used. According to him, the incident harmed airfield infrastructure and equipment.
According to officials, a 29-year-old was slain in a separate attack in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
In recent days, combat has intensified in the strategic southern Zaporizhzhia region, according to Russian officials, with Ukraine forces reportedly attempting to regain access to the Sea of Azov, which would divide Russian forces.
Last week’s Nova Khakovka dam collapse in southern Ukraine may hinder Ukraine’s regional progress.
The inundation has affected approximately 230 square miles (596 square kilometers) on both sides of the Dnieper River.
NATO and the Ukrainian military have accused Russia of destroying the dam, whereas Russia has placed the responsibility on Ukraine.
