[1/2] A Ukrainian military helicopter takes off to carry out a mission, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during military drills in the north of Ukraine, June 1, 2023.
KYIV, June 3 (Reuters) - Ukraine is ready to launch its long-awaited counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview published on Saturday.
"We strongly believe that we will succeed,” Zelenskiy told the Wall Street Journal.
Kyiv hopes a counteroffensive to reclaim territory will change the dynamics of the war that has raged since Russia invaded its smaller neighbour 15 months ago.
Zelenskiy said last month Ukraine needed to wait for more Western armoured vehicles arrived before launching the counteroffensive.
A long spell of dry weather in some parts of Ukraine has driven anticipation that the counteroffensive might be imminent.
Over the past several weeks Ukraine has increased it strikes on Russian ammunition depots and logistical routes. »