Zelensky admitted that the counterattack was slower than expected, while Putin called the Ukrainian military "suffering heavy losses". President | Ukrainian military | Putin
It has been over two weeks since the Ukrainian army began its "counterattack", and both Russia and Ukraine still have their own opinions on the current situation.
On the 21st, Russian media quoted Russian President Putin as saying that the Ukrainian military suffered "heavy losses" in terms of personnel and equipment. At the same time, the Ukrainian side stated that since the start of the counterattack, they have taken eight regions so far. However, Ukrainian President Zelensky also admitted in a media interview that the progress of the Ukrainian military's counterattack was "slower than expected.".
What is the current situation?
According to foreign media reports, senior officials from the Ukrainian Ministry of National Defense stated on the 21st that the Ukrainian military has achieved "partial success" in the past day and has launched an attack on the southern front while resisting a large-scale attack launched by the Russian military in the east.
According to the Kiev Post, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense, Hanna Mariar, recently stated that since the start of the counterattack, she has taken control of 8 regions so far. Marial also stated that the Ukrainian army is advancing on multiple fronts in the south; On the eastern front, the overall intensity of last week's fighting decreased, and the Ukrainian army made progress in multiple directions, but she did not provide further details.
On the 21st, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Ukraine attempted to use three drones to carry out a "terrorist attack" on targets in Moscow Oblast. All drones were suppressed by Russia's electronic warfare system and subsequently lost control and crashed. The drone did not cause any casualties or damage.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also announced that the Russian military has killed 835 Ukrainian soldiers in the past day. Among them, the Ukrainian army suffered a total loss of up to 200 soldiers, 8 tanks, 6 infantry tanks, and 13 armored vehicles in the direction of South Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia in one day.
Putin: The Ukrainian military suffered heavy losses
Speaking of the progress of the Ukrainian military's counterattack, Russian satellite news agency quoted Russian President Putin on the 21st as saying that the Ukrainian military has suffered "heavy losses" in personnel and equipment, and currently appears calm.
According to reports, Putin pointed out that the counterattack began on June 4th, and the Ukrainian military deployed a strategic reserve team. He also stated that "Kiev suffered significant losses in the attack in the south." Although Ukraine retained its offensive potential, Kiev understood that it "had no chance" in a counterattack.
Putin said, "It's strange to say, it seems to have calmed down. This is because the other party suffered heavy losses in personnel and equipment."
Zelensky: The progress of the counterattack is "slower than expected"
According to the BBC on the 21st, Ukrainian President Zelensky admitted in an interview with the media that the progress of the attack was "slower than expected.".
According to reports, Zelensky said, "Some people think this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now, but that's not the case."
Zelensky said, "No matter what some people want, including trying to pressure us, we will advance on the battlefield in the best way possible."
In addition, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg made it clear this week that NATO will not formally invite Ukraine to join NATO at the Vilnius summit in July. In response, Zelensky said, "Stoltenberg knows my position. We have told them countless times: 'Don't make us difficult.'"