Ukraine's counter-offensive actions have begun, Zelenski says
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski appears to have confirmed that his country's long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia has begun. "Counter-offensive and defensive actions are taking place," he said. The Kiev leader added that he would not provide too many details about the status or state of the counteroffensive, reports the BBC.
Ukrainian troops have been advancing east near Bahmut and south near Zaporozhye and have been carrying out long-range strikes on Russian targets.
But assessing the reality on the frontline is difficult, with the two sides in the conflict presenting conflicting reports, with Ukraine claiming progress and Russia saying it is fighting back.
Meanwhile, in Russia's Kaluga region - which borders the southern districts around Moscow - Governor Vladislav Shapsha said on Telegram that a drone crashed on June 11 near the village of Strelkov.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a video interview published Friday that Ukrainian forces had certainly begun their offensive, but that attempts to advance had failed with heavy losses.
Speaking Saturday in Kiev after talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Zelensky called the Russian leader's statements "interesting."
Zelensky also said Russia must feel it "doesn't have much left."
He also said Ukraine's military commanders were in a positive mood.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $500 million (about 290 million euros) in new military aid for Ukraine during the unannounced visit.
A joint statement issued after the talks said Canada supports Ukraine becoming a NATO member "as soon as conditions allow," adding that the issue will be discussed at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July.
