Ukrainian counteroffensive may begin during Russian troops’ rotation - military analyst Hetman

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"We expect the movement of our infantry troops, the movement of our heavy equipment and the liberation of territory. But this is not the beginning of the offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, this is the end of the offensive. The beginning of the operation is the destruction of warehouses, preparation of equipment and weapons. Now the enemy is being exsanguinated in order to break through its defense and find weaknesses. And at the end of the operation, tanks, armored vehicles and infantry are moving in – this is the end of the entire operation," explained Hetman.

According to the military analyst, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not time the offensive to a specific date.

"We will do it when there are good weather conditions and the most convenient time for our offensive. It is connected with some things that will happen inside the Russian army – during the enemy's rotations. New soldiers in the first days are not very good at details. This is the most convenient time for an offensive by the Ukrainian army. The chosen day will be the one when we will have the opportunity to advance as far as possible. I think we will see it soon. Because all the prerequisites seem to be in place," the Hetman emphasized. 

• On April 29, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence that Ukraine would be able to recapture the temporarily occupied Crimea. 

• Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev threatened Ukrainian President Zelenskyy with "acts of retaliation" for his intention to recapture the temporarily occupied Crimea.