Putin: Ukraine’s counteroffensive has started, but ‘all its attempts have failed so far’

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin announced that Ukraine’s counteroffensive has begun but said that Ukraine’s Armed Forces have not achieved their goals at any part of the front. 

“We can say with certainty that the offensive has started. The Ukrainian army’s use of strategic reserves speaks to it. That’s the first thing. The second thing is, Ukrainian troops have not achieved the tasks assigned to them in a single combat area. This is absolutely obvious,” said Putin at a speech in Sochi.

The Russian president added that “these days, we’re seeing significant troop losses for the Ukrainian regime.” Putin also said, “It’s well known that during offensive operations, losses are typically around three to one. But in this case, [losses] significantly exceed the classic indicators. I won’t cite the numbers, but they are impressive.”

“All counteroffensive attempts so far have failed. But the Kyiv regime troops still have offensive potential. I proceed from the fact that Russia’s military leadership is making realistic assessments of the current situation, and they’ll proceed from that reality as build our actions in the near future,” the Russian president added.

Russia’s Defense Ministry says that that Ukrainian army began to advance toward the Ukraine-Russia border in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions on June 4. According to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, Russian forces “thwarted” the offensive. In recent days, Western media have also noted signs that the counteroffensive is starting.