AFU counteroffensive has been ongoing for several days – Presidential Office

Podolyak told this on the Italian TV channel Rai.

"The counteroffensive has been underway for several days, with intense warfare spanning 1,500 kilometers of the border. We have started, utilizing the weapons provided to us, aimed at destroying the positions of the Russian Federation in the occupied territories, including Donbas and Crimea," stated Podolyak.

Emphasizing Ukraine's stance, the official clarified that strikes will not be carried out on Russian territory. 

Notably, the deployment of F-16 fighter jets will enable Ukraine to secure its airspace and achieve significant progress. 

“If we had these aircraft a year earlier, the war might have already concluded,” he said. 

• Kyrylo Budanov confirmed that Ukraine possesses the necessary minimum arsenal of weapons to initiate a counteroffensive.