Russian gains to the east are temporary – Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told Russia its recent gains in the east of the country are only temporary and its troops will be forced back across the border.
He made the comments in his latest video message to the nation.
“In the south and east of our country, the occupiers continue to do everything to have a reason to talk about at least some victories. They are accumulating forces, driving new battalion tactical groups to our land. They are even trying to start the so-called mobilisation in the occupied regions of Ukraine.
“None of these steps will help Russia in the war against our state. They can only delay the inevitable – the time when the invaders will have to leave our territory. In particular Mariupol – a city that continues to resist Russia, despite everything the occupiers say.”
Russian forces captured 42 villages in the eastern Donetsk region on Thursday, but Ukraine might take them back, an aide to the chief of staff to Zelensky said on national television.