Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov on Sunday said Ukrainian forces will resume “active counteroffensive actions” when the ground freezes and “becomes firmer for easier passage of equipment”, at a press conference with his Swedish counterpart, Defense Minister Pal Jonson, in Odesa.
“The weather conditions, the transition from a dry autumn to a not-yet-freezing winter…we encountered rain and very difficult conditions for attacks from either side. Because the soil is wet, and wheeled vehicles can hardly pass through,” Reznikov said. “I think this decrease in activity is due to weather conditions.”
Reznikov also vowed that “the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not intend to stop.”
“Therefore, we are taking advantage of the moment when the ground becomes firmer,” he continued.” I am convinced that we will continue our counterattacks, the campaign to liberate our territories.”
The Defense Minister called Ukraine’s plan “very simple.” “It is the liberation of all temporarily-occupied territories of Ukraine as they were in 1991, when Ukraine’s borders were internationally recognized,” he said.
Reznikov said he believes Russians “are fighting civilians in order to persuade the Ukrainian government to start negotiating on Russia’s terms, but they will not succeed in it.”
