Counteroffensive is behind schedule, but is going according to plan – Ukraine's Defence Minister

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has said that the Ukrainian offensive is behind schedule, but is going according to plan.

Source: Reznikov in an interview with CNN

Details: As CNN reported, Reznikov admitted that the offensive was behind schedule, but pointed out that he was "not worried" because it was going according to plan. Reznikov believes that it is a mistake to think that "every counteroffensive should be quick".

He listed several reasons why the counteroffensive might be slower than expected: ammunition, artillery shells and artillery systems.

Quote: "It's a question of air defence. It's a question that we have a very long battlefield line also. And we have against us a big quantity of enemies. So it’s war, it’s not a computer game."

More details: Ukrainian generals and commanders see the real situation on the battlefield, Reznikov stressed, adding that "the main value for us is the life of…our soldiers". 

Reznikov said the situation on the southern front in Ukraine had been slowed down to a large extent by minefields set up by Russian troops. Ukrainian troops were forced to manually clear paths through the fields.

Quote: "We need to use our soldiers, sappers and deminers very slowly, and very slowly preparing the corridors for the real offensive movement."

More details: Reznikov added that such activity in different locations will confuse the Russians about the main direction Ukraine will take.

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