Military initiative on the front shifts in Ukraine’s favor, says Defense Ministry
Ukraine has gained the initiative on the frontlines, Volodymyr Havrylov, Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine, said on Telegram on July 22.
“Basically, the entire initiative is currently on our side,” he explained.
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“This is crucial for our partners, especially concerning military matters. They comprehend all the challenges associated with changes and other issues, and there is a constant exchange of information with our allies, consultations on this matter.”
A Russian offensive near Kupyansk was described by Havrylov as an “audacious attempt” to divert Ukrainian forces from other directions. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the Armed Forces are making daily advances, recapturing territory both by short distances and larger areas.
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“Somewhere by 100 meters, somewhere by a kilometer,” the deputy defense minister said.
“Every day, we reclaim our territory, we chip away at the first and second lines of defense where Russia managed to build something.”
The deputy minister also stated that everyone understands that Ukraine has not yet fully utilized its resources and added that there are “no doubts” about continued aid from Ukraine’s partners, and Ukraine’s achievements in the counter-offensive so far.
He also addressed expectations for faster progress.
“Understandably, for people sitting in warm rooms, browsing the Internet, and watching television, they would want everything to happen faster,” he said.
“But the reality is that we must consider what is happening on the ground.”
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Ukraine’s counteroffensive: the latest
On July 16, the Armed Forces of Ukraine occupied the northern part of the village of Staromykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast, with enemy attempts to regain their lost positions proving unsuccessful.
