Ukrainian Troops Launch A Counter Attack On Russia, President Zelensky's Advisor: Don't Hope For An Instant Victory

Illustration of the Ukrainian army. (Wikimedia Commons/Палк аلеда)

JAKARTA - Senior Vice President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that people should not expect Ukraine to win a quick victory against Russian troops, as Kyiv does not want to lose too many personnel during the counter-attack.

"This is a very slow process because we respect people because we need as many Ukrainians as possible to return home," said Oleksify Arestovych, adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"There will be no quick success. Fast success always means a lot of blood," he said in a YouTube interview.

Earlier that day, a regional official said Ukrainian troops had "succeeded" in three regions in Russia's occupied Kherson region.

As previously reported, Ukraine on Monday announced the start of a long-awaited counter-attack to retake territory in the south controlled by Russian forces since their invasion six months ago.

"Today we are starting offensive actions in various directions, including in the Kherson region," Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne quoted a spokesman for the southern command of Natalia Humeniuk as saying.

Ukraine said it managed to break through Russian defensive lines in several places in the southern city of Kherson while launching a counter-attack campaign to retake enemy-stricken territory.

"I have to record that today's defense (Russia) has been breached within hours," said Oleksify Arestovych. Ukrainian troops opened fire on the ferry Moscow uses, to supply Russia's occupied territory on the west bank of the Dnipro river in the Kherson region, he added.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky sent home the Russian army, as Kyiv launched a counter-attack in the southern region near Kherson City.

In his late address on Monday, President Zelensky vowed that Ukrainian troops would pursue the Russian army "to the border".

"If they want to survive (living), it's time for the Russian military to run away. Go ahead," said President Zelensky.