Zelenskyy warns Russia is ‘investing everything’ as Ukrainian counteroffensives keep pressing

A highly anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive is progressing, but it’s slower than anticipated, despite billions of dollars’ worth of weapons pouring in from its Western allies. Here’s why.

A highly anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive is progressing slower than anticipated.

Local troops are forging ahead on the southern and eastern fronts and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said they should be grateful for every thousand metres they advance.

“We must all understand very clearly – as clearly as possible – that the Russian forces on our southern and eastern lands are investing everything they can to stop our warriors,” he said in his evening address. “Every success of each of our combat brigades deserves gratitude.”

Fighting has been difficult for Ukrainian forces despite billions of dollars’ worth of weapons pouring into the country from Western allies, increasing pressure for results.

“Today it’s advancing not so quickly,” said Ukrainian bureaucrat Andriy Yermak.

“No-one is going to embellish.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under increasing pressure to speed up advances. Picture: Getty Images

Latest updates from the front

Ukrainian forces have today shot down 20 Russian drones over Kyiv, while a Ukrainian court has convicted a local man of conspiring with Russia to target critical infrastructure.

On the weapons front, more American cluster bombs have arrived and the US House of Representatives has passed a bill providing an additional US$300 million (A$438 million) in support for the war-weary nation. The legislation will now make its way to the US Senate.

It comes as EU finance ministers unanimously agreed to allocate extra funds for Ukraine, proposing to reserve €17 billion (A$28 billion) in aid with more to come in loans.

It’s now been 507 days since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Western military hardware won’t change the course of the war, but troops are inching forward on a number of key fronts including Bahkmut.

The city of 70,000 people in eastern Ukraine has seen some of the war’s bloodiest battles, and though its strategic significance is limited, its symbolic significance is tremendous.

Both sides have fought fiercely to control it, placing a lot of emphasis on it.

For Russia, it’s about advancing. For Ukraine, it’s about resisting.

Ukrainian artillerymen load missiles onto a rocket launcher near Bakhmut. Picture: AFP

’On the battlefield, you have to kill’

Yuriy Korpan, a 39-year-old father of three, has been fighting since August 2022.

Since Ukraine launched its latest counteroffensive, its forces have crept forward in to the north and south, attempting to surround Russian troops holding the city in a pincer movement.

“On the battlefield, you have to kill,” he told AFP.

“You are as tense as a rope and obsessed with a single idea — destroying the enemy who came onto our lands... In the actual fighting, you cannot be afraid, you have to overcome that and fulfil your task. Fear is also an enemy.”

The Ukrainian troops say Russian troops are “formidable adversaries”. They’re fighting against mortar and artillery fire with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and more mortar fire.

Anti-personnel mines laid by retreating Russian forces are an increasing risk.

Volodymyr Veselovsky, a volunteer medic, says most wounds are from artillery fire but he’s noticing more mine blast injuries as inexperienced Ukrainian solders fall victim.

“For several weeks, we have had more traumas caused by landmines. There are injuries to the feet and legs. One day we had five injuries that had to be amputated,” he told AFP.

Russian landmines are a huge risk on recaptured land as Ukraine advances. Picture: AFP

Ukraine reliant on continued support

Zelenskyy is continuing to drum up support from the West, working towards security guarantees with NATO, strong weapons supply lines, and ongoing sanctions against Russia.

He’s already looking forward to Ukraine’s post-war future, holding talks with prominent US business leaders and philanthropists to encourage investment in the country’s development.

In the meantime, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak says the strategy is clear.

“Maximum and full military support for Ukraine enables the army to break through the Russian defence, which contributes to the collapse of the Russian front, leads to internal destabilisation in Russia and the transfer of power within the elite.”

With additional reporting from AFP.

Originally published as Zelenskyy warns Russia is ‘investing everything’ as Ukrainian counteroffensives keep pressing