Ukraine’s counteroffensive has been “slowed down” by entrenched Russian defenses, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told CNN in an interview broadcast on 5 July, adding that he wished that Western weapons deliveries had allowed it to begin “much earlier.” He said that the Ukrainian military cannot “even think of starting” attacks in some areas of the country, having no “relevant weapons.”
“I wanted our counteroffensive to happen much earlier because everyone understood that if the counteroffensive unfolds later, then a bigger part of our territory will be mined. We give our enemy the time and possibility to place more mines and prepare their defensive lines,” Zelenskyy said.The Ukrainian President claims that Ukraine's counteroffensive has been "slowed down" by fortified Russian defenses and he wished that Western arms supplies had arrived in advance so that it could have started "much earlier."
Why Ukraine’s counteroffensive is going so slow
“I’m grateful to the US as the leaders of our support,” Zelenskyy said, but he added that he had told all of Ukraine's allies that the later Ukraine’s counteroffensive starts, the slower it would be.Read also:
- Ukraine’s defense minister warns against unrealistic expectations for Ukraine’s counteroffensive
- Frontline report: Ukrainians reinforce assault group on eastern bank of occupied Kherson Oblast
- Frontline report: Ukraine takes tactical heights in Rivnopil with minimal engagement
- Zelenskyy visits front lines, claims Ukrainian advance in several directions
- Ukraine starts offensive in Bakhmut area in several directions at once – Defense Ministry
- Ukraine achieves “partial successes” in south, holds back Russian offensive in east – military
- Ukraine “likely successfully setting conditions” for future main offensive effort – ISW
- Too early to assess counteroffensive results, Ukraine committed only three of 12 new brigades – analysts
