Not Letting Russia To Prolong War, Head Of Ukrainian Presidential Office: We Do Our Best In Winter, There Will Be Surprises

Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Andrii Yermak. (Wikimedia Commons/President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - The Ukrainian leadership is seeking to turn the tide of the military campaign against Russia in the winter, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Andrii Yermak announced on Thursday.

"It is very important not to let Russia prolong the war with us until this winter," Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel.

"President (Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky) is in a serious mood and is ready to do his best for us to liberate our territory as soon as possible," Yermak continued.

"A lot depends on how our fighters are trained. We will turn the tide of this war. There will be many surprises soon," Yermak said.

As previously reported, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said his country needed more high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) or M-142 HIMARS from the United States, which were considered effective against Russia and could even change the 'game'.

Andrii Yermak (green jacket) accompanying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Wikimedia Commons/President.gov.ua)

Slowing down the Russian offensive in the east, attention is now turning to Kherson in the south, where Ukrainian forces are preparing the 'ground' for a massive counter-offensive.

"The Kremlin does not control southern Ukraine, we will definitely liberate it," Reznikov said, as quoted by Newsweek.

"But we need to collect more weaponry," he continued.

So far, Ukraine has received eight HIMARS units and is very helpful, according to Reznikov. The US has committed to sending four more, with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby saying on Tuesday Kyiv would receive an unspecified number of additional systems.

"We use the HIMARS system precisely, like a surgeon's scalpel. We will not use the Russian 'meat grinder' strategy," said Reznikov.

He said Ukraine needed a minimum of 15 HIMARS to stabilize the current frontline. Meanwhile, to become a "game changer on the battlefield" and support a successful counterattack, it takes 100 HIMARS units.