Kiev admits progress 'slower than expected', Russia 'shows off achievements'

On June 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that progress in the country's counteroffensive against Russian forces has been "slower than desired".

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Ukraine's counter-offensive campaign is said to have made some progress, but results have not come as soon as expected. Illustrative photo. (Source: AFP)

“Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect immediate results. That is not the case,” Mr. Zelensky said in an interview.

Previously, on June 20, Russia said that Moscow's missiles had targeted a series of military targets in the capital Kiev, as well as several other regions of Ukraine.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry , the country's military forces destroyed eight ammunition depots across Ukraine on June 19, and repelled Ukrainian attacks in three regions.

On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) are suffering heavy losses, both in terms of personnel and technical equipment. Therefore, Ukraine's counter-offensive campaign is currently in a state of "relative lull".

President Putin said that since Kiev launched its counter-offensive, the Russian army has destroyed a total of 245 Ukrainian tanks and 678 armored personnel carriers.

According to the Russian leader, the VSU “clearly understands its helplessness” in confronting the Russian Armed Forces (VSRF) and fears that new losses could lead to a decline in the combat readiness of the Ukrainian army.

Therefore, Kiev is now focusing on restoring its combat capabilities.

Mr. Putin also affirmed that there were many foreign-made weapons among the destroyed Ukrainian military equipment.

Accordingly, despite significant losses over the past two weeks, the VSU's offensive capabilities have not been exhausted and Ukraine still has reserves.

Source