Published: Just now
The signs that Ukraine has started its counter-offensive are increasing.
Now President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also makes a cryptic statement.
– This is news we have all been waiting for, he says.
Ukraine claims to have had several successes in eastern Ukraine in recent days.
An offensive is underway in “several directions”, according to Defense Minister Hanna Maliar. And it’s not just about Bakhmut.
– We are happy with every meter. Today is a successful day for our forces, she said on Ukrainian television CNN.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also made a statement on Monday evening in which he thanked his forces for the success in Bakhmut.
– I am grateful for each of our soldiers, all of our defenders, who have given us exactly the news we have been waiting for, he writes and continues:
– We see the hysteria Russia reacts with to every step we take there, to all our positions. The enemy knows that Ukraine will win, says Zelensky.
“Testing the Russians”
Ukraine has not yet announced whether the major counter-offensive it has been hinting at has now begun. But the Norwegian Defense Academy’s director of intelligence, Tom Røseth, speaks up VG that it appears to have started.
– Now it seems clear that the offensive is partially underway. It is very difficult to predict in advance what kind of movement constitutes a significant offensive, but now it looks like what we saw yesterday and today – and especially today, are the first parts of an offensive.
According to the New York Times, Ukraine has conducted operations in several locations along the front line on Monday. A way to “test the Russians”, according to Røseth.
– Then we’ll see what they respond with, he tells VG.