Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces would use “everything possible” against Kiev forces fighting to retake land to the south and east, reiterating the grueling nature of a counteroffensive progressing more slowly than some allies had hoped had.
Ukrainian troops have made little progress since the much-anticipated campaign began in June, and they have even increased in recent weeks seems to have stalled in some areas given steadfast Russian defense. The death toll is mounting, and American officials said the same is happening in Ukraine lost newly deployed western armored vehicles one field after another full of landmines.
Mr. Zelensky who has defended the pace the counteroffensive, said in his night speech Late Friday, he said he had a “detailed” meeting with his commanders-in-chief earlier in the day to discuss frontlines and “logistics” — including weapons and the “rational use of shells and replenishment from partners,” an apparent clue on the rate at which the Armed Forces of Ukraine are consuming ammunition.
“We must all be very clear – as clear as possible – that Russian forces in our southern and eastern areas are doing everything they can to stop our warriors,” he said. “Every thousand meters of advance, every success of each of our combat brigades deserves gratitude.”
Mr. Zelenskyi has repeatedly urged his Western allies to use increasingly sophisticated weaponry, and received fresh pledges from allies this week NATO summit in Lithuania, including long-range missiles from France and more tank ammunition from Germany. However, it was not immediately clear how quickly these weapons would arrive or what significant boost they could add to the counteroffensive.
The United States has acknowledged that Ukraine’s armed forces are running out of ammunition, which was one of the reasons President Biden last week agreed to the deployment, despite objections from allies cluster munitions to Ukraine. The weapons pose a great danger to the civilian population and are banned in all but a few countries, including the USA, Russia and Ukraine.
The defense ministers of Denmark and the Netherlands announced last week that they have brought together 11 countries to help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets as early as next month. Mr. Biden agreed in May to drop his objections to the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, although that may not happen until next year.
Ukraine has also asked the United States for long-range tactical missile systems from the army. which have a range of about 190 miles – about 40 miles more than the missiles provided by France and Britain. American and European officials said the Biden administration, after months of insisting, would not supply the weapons for fear of further provoking Russia. contemplating sending some to Ukraine.
One ally opposed to arms shipments to Ukraine is South Korea, whose President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Ukraine on Saturday for an unannounced trip.
Seoul, which is reluctant to openly anger Moscow, went back to send deadly aid and has implemented strict export control rules for its worldwide arms sales. It also took care of humanitarian aid and financial support to Ukraine for demining, power grid restoration and reconstruction projects.
However, Mr Yoon has hinted that Seoul might be willing to consider sending military aid to Ukraine in the event of a large-scale attack on civilians.
He visited the cities of Bucha and Irpin – which became synonymous with Russian atrocities in the first days of the invasion – Upon arrival on Saturday, Mr Yoon’s office said he then met with Mr Zelensky.
“During this visit, the first in the history of our relations, we will discuss everything that is important for the normal and safe life of the people, for the rules-based international order,” said Mr. Zelenskyj on the news app Telegram, welcoming the South Korean leader.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military continued to report on Saturday Heavy fighting broke out in the south and east of the countryIt said that Russian forces in southern Ukraine were focused on preventing “further advance” of Kiev troops fighting towards two key Russian-held cities, Melitopol and Berdyansk.
Here’s what else happens in the war:
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According to the regional military administration, one man was killed and another wounded by Russian shelling in the Kharkiv region of north-eastern Ukraine said in a statement on Saturday.
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A spokesman for Ukraine’s Border Guard said that “available information shows” that some fighters from the Wagner mercenary group “were observed in Belarus”. The comments came a day after the Belarusian Defense Ministry declared Wagner’s mercenaries trained their security forces. Questions about the fighters’ future have circulated since a deal to end the Wagner mutiny in Russia last month included an agreement for voluntary exile in Belarus. There is little evidence that they went there in large numbers.
John Yoon contributed reporting from Seoul.
