Ukraine PM says counteroffensive “will take time”

That’s according to The Guardian, Ukrinform reports.

"We will do very smart, offensive operations. And because of this, it (the counteroffensive) will take time," he said, speaking on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

The head of government also specified that Ukrainian troops intend to move and “go ahead.”

"I’m absolutely optimistic for the liberation of all our lands occupied by Russians," Ukraine’s prime minister emphasized.

Shmyhal added that the counteroffensive is "a number of military operations. Sometimes it’s offensive. Sometimes it’s defensive."

“Unfortunately, during our preparation for this counter-offensive Russians were preparing too, so there are so many minefields, which really makes it slower to move,” he said.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called on citizens to be patient, assuring them that the results of the counteroffensive will come, at the same time stressing that Ukraine values the lives of its soldiers, so it has no intention to lead them mindlessly into the fire grinder.