Igor Zhovkva42, is Deputy Chief of Staff of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But those who know the Ukrainian president believe that he is more than that: a diplomatic adviser, a confidante for foreign policy. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, his role has become extremely central, he frequently intervenes to keep abreast of developments in the conflict and, in general, his statements are addressed to Western countries so that they can send their support Kyiv. And he does so now, at a crucial moment in the confrontation, saying he is confident that an expected counter-offensive against Russian forces will produce results and begin as soon as possibleUkraine will receive the necessary weapons from the Allies.
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the manoeuvres
“We will continue to prepare the counteroffensive,” he told Bloomberg Television today, citing forthcoming shipments of long-range artillery, ammunition and tanks. The Russian army is entrenched on a front of about 1,500 kilometers in eastern and southern Ukraine, at the line of contact the encirclement maneuvers of Bakhmut by the forces of Kiev continue: the city is still in Russian hands, but as the head and founder of Like the Russian Private militia Yevgeny Prigozhin said via telegram that the Wagner group had begun to retreat after almost a year of fighting with high casualties on both sides.
The Kremlin has ramped up its missile attack across Ukraine, Kyiv’s air defenses said they intercepted 36 stray drones overnight, but Ukraine is sending conflicting messages according to a Bloomberg analysis of the timing and nature of the counterattack. Zelenskyy’s presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said: “The counter-offensive has been going on for days, it’s an intense war along the 1,500-kilometer border, actions have already begun.” In a post on Twitter Podolyak, he clarified that the day and time set will begin “with the ceremonial cutting of a red ribbon,” but rather the result of a series of coordinated actions that have already begun. “There are dozens of different actions aimed at destroying the occupying Russian forces in different directions, which took place yesterday, are taking place today and will continue tomorrow.” The intensive destruction of enemy logistics is also a counteroffensive,” emphasizes the presidential adviser.
The F16
Meanwhile, the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, announced: “I am pleased that training of Ukrainian pilots for the F-16 has finally started in various EU member states.” “It will take time, but the sooner the better.” , he commented on the sidelines of the Defense Council in Brussels. Pilot training, he added, “opens the door to jet supply.” We argue that everyone is reluctant at first, but in the end comes the decision to provide military support because it is absolutely necessary for Ukraine to continue to defend. Igor Zhovkva confirmed that training will start soon and “it won’t take long”. About twenty Ukrainian pilots will start training for the F-16 in the UK, a London government source told US magazine Foreign Policy: “It will be basic ground training for Ukrainian pilots, who will then go on to more specific training for the F-16.” 16 will be ready.” .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov limited himself to remarking that the delivery of fighter jets “cannot fundamentally change the situation on the ground” and would favor a Kiev victory, while former President Dmitry Medvedev, current Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council, warned that the more destructive the weapons made available to Ukraine, “the more likely a nuclear apocalypse becomes.” President Vladimir Putin summed up at a ceremony honoring public sector workers: “Russia is going through a difficult time, but it will lead to strong consolidation. “
The weapons
In any case, the Ukrainian armed forces “already have a minimum of weapons and other equipment” necessary to launch the counteroffensive, which “will start soon,” guarantees the head of military intelligence in Kiev, Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with TV Japanese Nhk. However, Budanov noted that the offensive could be long and marked by several heavy battles, so “a significant escort is required to continue the operation”. The 007 boss reiterates Kiev’s determination to “expel Russia from our territory” and claims that Ukraine will “use all forces and means to achieve this goal”. Contrary to the predictions of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Igor Zhovkva emphasizes that Ukraine cannot defeat the Russian army.
“He cannot win the war,” the Hungarian prime minister said in an interview with Bloomberg. “If you look at the numbers and consider the fact that NATO is not ready to send troops, it is obvious that there will be no victory for poor Ukrainians on the battlefield.” Zhovkva sarcastically replies: “Probably I missed something, maybe the Prime Minister has become a very good military expert.” Oleg Nikolenko, spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, replied sharply: “Orban is wrong, the same European politicians said last year that Ukraine had no chance for more than 72 hours to resist.” They were wrong then, and they are wrong now. Unlike supporters of surrender to the enemy without resistance, Ukrainians will fight until the full liberation of their territories.
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