Ukraine retakes half of territories seized by Russia since day one of full-scale war – US State Secretary

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that Ukraine already regained about half of its territories that were occupied by Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, according to Reuters.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces faced significant resistance during counter-offensive operations, he adds. 

These are still relatively early days of the counteroffensive. It is tough. It will not play out over the next week or two, Blinken added.

Blinken believes Russia "has already lost" the war "in terms of what it sought to achieve and what Putin sought to achieve."

He said the US believes that Ukraine's counter-offensive will continue for at least several months more.

However, along with the aid, military equipment, and training that Ukraine receives from various countries, Kyiv's work is "a crucial element."

Unlike the Russians, Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their future, for their country, for their freedom, Blinken stated.

He pledged Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets, but it will take several months to deliver them.

Earlier, Blinken noted that Ukraine has all the necessary resources, including weapons, to recapture the territories that have been seized since 2022.

Earlier, the Estonian Defense Ministry said that attacks by Russian forces in northeastern Ukraine are likely to complicate the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south.

The day before, the US, the EU, the UK, Canada, and other countries announced sanctions against Russia and its supporters, which help it circumvent restrictions imposed due to its aggression against Ukraine.