We’re ready to retake our country – Ukraine security boss Oleksiy Danilov

Oleksiy Danilov, one of Ukraine’s senior security officials, claims the country is ready to strike a major blow against Russian forces. Speaking to the BBC in a rare interview, Danilov said it would be “strange” to give specific dates, but Ukraine could retake territory “tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or in a week.” He went on to say that his country has an “historic opportunity” to strike against Russia.

Tensions have been high between Ukraine and Russia since 2014 when the annexation of Crimea occurred, and a pro-Russian separatist movement began in eastern Ukraine. Since then, Russia has been accused of arming and supporting separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, prompting Ukraine to seek international support from countries such as the US, UK, and EU.

Ukraine has been building up its military capabilities and receiving support from its allies. In December 2020, the US announced it would provide Ukraine with $250 million in military aid, including lethal weapons. The UK has also sent trainers to help train Ukrainian forces, and the EU has imposed economic sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine.

Danilov’s comments could suggest that Ukraine is preparing for a larger-scale offensive operation against separatist forces backed by Russia. However, it remains to be seen how Russia would respond to such an operation. It is possible that Russia could ramp up its military presence in eastern Ukraine to protect separatist-held territory, leading to a more significant conflict.

In conclusion, Ukraine’s readiness to counter Russian forces indicates that tensions between the two countries remain high. It remains to be seen how Russia will respond to a potential Ukrainian offensive operation, but any escalation in the conflict could have severe consequences for both countries and the wider region.



Source link