On Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to unleash its long-awaited counteroffensive to reclaim Russian-occupied territory.

President Zelensky stated, “We strongly believe that we will succeed”.

He further said, “I don’t know how long it will take. To be honest, it can go a variety of ways, completely different. But we are going to do it, and we are ready”.

Kyiv hopes that a retaliatory offensive to recover land will alter the dynamics of the war that has raged since Russia invaded its smaller neighbor 15 months ago.

Last month, Zelensky stated that Ukraine would wait for additional Western armored vehicles to arrive before launching the counter-offensive.

He has been on a diplomatic offensive to keep Western support, seeking more military help and weapons, which are critical for Ukraine’s ambitions to succeed.

Also read: Odisha Train Crash: Railways Launches High-Level Probe, Says anti-Train Collision System Wasn’t Available On Route

Russia occupies large areas of Ukrainian land in the east, south, and southeast.

A prolonged period of dry weather in various parts of Ukraine has fueled speculation that a counteroffensive is planned. Ukraine has expanded its raids on Russian munitions storage and logistical channels in recent weeks.

Ukraine’s military stated in a daily report on Saturday that Mariinka in the eastern Donetsk region was the epicentre of conflict.

According to the report, the Ukrainian military repelled all 14 Russian army attacks there.

Also read: Indian American Ajay Banga Takes Over As World Bank President