Zelenskyy Acknowledges Ukraine's Delayed Counteroffensive and Preparations for Long War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted that Ukraine started its counteroffensive against Russia too late, allowing Russia to plant numerous land mines across Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy acknowledged that the delay gave the Russians ample time to prepare and mine the fields. The counteroffensive, launched in June, has been slow-moving as Ukraine awaited deliveries of Western weaponry. The use of land mines by Russia has made Ukraine the most mined country in the world, with an area the size of Florida now riddled with explosives. Despite criticism of the slow progress, Zelenskyy stated that the counteroffensive is still ongoing, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that Ukrainian troops have made tangible progress in recent weeks.