In a message sent on Friday evening, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi seemed to confirm that the expected Ukrainian counteroffensive is ongoing, and indicated that attention is focused on these operations, as well as on solving the problems faced by the Kherson Region after the break of the Nova Kakhovka Dam, writes news .ro.

Zelensky wanted to thank the soldiers “who are fighting especially hard battles these days.”

“We see your heroism and are grateful to you for every minute of your life – a life that is truly the life of Ukraine. Because Ukraine is free only to the extent that you, our soldiers, are strong. Ukraine is safe to the extent that you, our soldiers, are effective,” said the President of Ukraine, addressing the Ukrainian military.

He told his compatriots that he had a meeting at which they analyzed the situation on the front line, which, as Zelenskyi said, “is in the center of attention.”

“Attention is focused on all directions where our actions are needed and where the enemy may suffer certain losses. Our defensive actions, active actions and our gains are on the front line,” the Ukrainian leader said.

“We discussed in detail the supply and distribution of ammunition, strengthening of our artillery and anti-aircraft defense,” he added.

Strengthening the air shield

Zelensky said he spoke again with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte later that day. “We discussed the continuation of our defense cooperation and coordinated our positions before the next meeting in Ramstein. We are moving step by step to strengthen our air shield. We discussed the Patriot coalition and the training of our pilots,” Zelensky said.

He also thanked the United States for a new defense aid package announced on Friday worth more than $2 billion, noting that it includes missiles for Patriot systems and other air defense systems.

“Of course, during the day I receive messages about the rescue operation in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, about the state of the Kakhov reservoir – actually, about its remains. There are a lot of problems,” the president said. “But we are working to overcome them at all possible levels. And, most importantly, we have the social potential for this. (…) I am sure that, no matter how difficult it may be, we will overcome the consequences of this disaster and all Russian troubles,” Zelenskyy added.

Having initially criticized the response of the UN and the Red Cross to the crisis caused by the dam breach, Zelensky thanked “all those in the world who are already helping and who are asking Ukraine how to help.” I thank everyone who is already participating in the rescue operation, who is helping people in whatever way they can. People, animals, all living things. I also thank all those who are encouraging international organizations, foreign leaders and other states to see what happened and reveal the situation. Russian terrorists must be held accountable for everything they have done,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.