Zelensky shrugged off Putin’s suggestions Ukraine’s armed forces were struggling and sought to apply some psychological pressure of his own. It is important that Russia feels [the counteroffensive], feels that they do not have much time left,” he said. On the battlefield, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported further Ukrainian offensive operations along the frontline to the south and east of Zaporizhzhia. Zelensky tight-lippedCNN is unable to verify Russian defense ministry claims, and the picture is no clearer from the Ukrainian side. Despite this, and the comments by the Ukrainian leader Saturday, there is still no evidence that Ukraine has begun a major advance involving large numbers of forces.

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Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Zelensky, Putin, ”, Mala Tamkachka, Justin Trudeau, “ Organizations: CNN —, Kyiv Saturday, Russia’s Defense Ministry, The Defense Ministry, Vostok, Russian Defense Ministry, CNN, Officials, Canada’s Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Orikhiv, Novopokrovka, Novodanilovka, Tokmak, Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk, Bakhmut