Zelensky announces Ukraine's counteroffensive: "The occupiers still have time to leave"
General Hodges believes that the key to de-occupation is the liberation of Crimea
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has announced preparations for a counteroffensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"As for our progress on the frontline <...> I will not talk about specific things, because we cannot allow the terrorists from Russia to prepare for our plans and steps for de-occupation. But we will do it and they should know it. They still have time to leave [the occupied territories], otherwise we will destroy them," the president said during his visit to Chernihiv region.
Meanwhile, retired U.S. General Ben Hodges, former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, told LRT that the main target of the Ukrainian counteroffensive could be Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.
"Crimea is what has to be liberated. You can destroy all Russian soldiers within 200 kilometers of Bakhmut, but this will not affect the strategic end of the war. Only the liberation of Crimea can change the strategic situation, and that is how Ukraine will win," he said.
The Pentagon called Kyiv's plan to liberate the occupied territories an extremely difficult task. There are "a couple of hundred thousand" Russian troops in Ukraine, General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reminded Defense One.
"I don't think this [goal] will be achieved in the foreseeable future this year. <...> I'm not saying it's impossible to do. I'm just saying it's a very difficult task," he said.
Background. As reported, Defense Minister Reznikov demonstrated combat vehicles provided by the United States.
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