Russian forces are preparing two more large-scale offensives after three failed campaigns this year, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Monday (September 16). Speaking during an interview with Sky News, the Ukrainian leader said: “The mood in Europe and the US is indeed changing a little. Overall, I am glad, truly glad, that all of Russia’s advances, all of their offensive missions – there have been three – and they are planning two more heavy offensive campaigns. Their last three missions have failed. In my view, this is a very important signal”.
The remarks follow earlier reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes his forces are “winning”, despite their limited gains, according to Reuters sources. Since November 2022, Moscow has gained less than 1% of additional Ukrainian territory, despite its latest summer offensive advancing at one of the fastest rates since late 2024. Mr Zelensky added that the Russians had suffered heavy losses in manpower and equipment and are now under major strain.
“They lost because there were a large number of casualties among the personnel and a large number of lost equipment,” he added, before pledging: “What I said to the Europeans and what I said in the White House […] the Russians will not be able to take our east.
“That [is] what they are telling you, that they can occupy the city of Sumy,” the Ukrainian leader continued. “All of this is lies and manipulation, and we would prove it. And that is exactly what happened: the Russians lost three campaigns.”
Earlier this year, the Russian army opened a new front in Sumy Oblast, seizing several villages in May and June. However, earlier this month, Mr Zelensky said the offensive had been “completely thwarted”.
“I believe that the Russians are doing worse than they expected,” he added. “They are doing much worse than they told Putin. He does not know about it.”
Ukraine’s General Staff puts the total of Russian losses since the start of the full-scale war in 2022 at roughly 1.1 million, while The Economist estimated that the country lost around 31,000 in the period between May 1 and July 9 alone.
Mr Zelensky went on to note that Ukrainian forces should be supported with weapons and financial assistance for weapons production, at which point Ukraine will then be able to withstand two more Russian offensive campaigns.
He also underlined that Ukraine, in contrast to Moscow’s position, backed US President Donald Trump’s efforts to seek a ceasefire during his recent meeting with Mr Putin in Alaska.