Zelensky confirmed the start of offensive operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about “counter-offensive actions” in Ukraine, but did not specify at what stage they are. He stated this at a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“The corresponding counter-offensive and defensive actions are taking place in Ukraine, at what stage – I will not speak in detail. I think that we will definitely feel it all,” Zelensky said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

On June 5, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the start of the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The next day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed that Ukraine had attempted a counter-offensive, which had been announced since the winter, on various sectors of the front. According to him, the Ukrainian side did not achieve success in any of the sections and suffered significant losses.

On June 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Ukraine had not achieved its goals in any of the combat areas. He noted that this was due to the courage of Russian soldiers, the correct organization of troops and the high efficiency of domestic weapons.

Same day at the Pentagon announced on the allocation of a new package of military assistance to Ukraine for $2.1 billion. The package will include “critical” air defense (AD) equipment, including ammunition for Patriot complexes, HAWK air defense systems and missiles, Puma drones and others. John Kirby told Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council that the United States has given Ukraine almost 100% of the military assistance it has requested for its counteroffensive.

The Russian authorities have repeatedly pointed to the involvement of Western countries in the conflict in Ukraine. In September 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian army in Ukraine is opposed to “virtually the entire military machine of the collective West.”