Zelensky: Russia Will Do Anything to Halt Ukraine's Advance in the South

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, warned on Friday night that Russia is concentrating all its resources on the southern region to stop the advance of Ukrainian soldiers. In his nightly address following a meeting with senior commanders, he stated, "We all need to clearly understand... that Russian forces in our southern and eastern territories are doing everything they can to stop our soldiers." He added, "Every meter we advance, every success of any combat brigade deserves our appreciation." General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander of Ukrainian forces in the south, also mentioned after the meeting that his forces are "systematically driving the enemy from their positions." He estimated Russian casualties over the past 24 hours to be at least 200. However, Ukrainian military analysts believe that the counteroffensive to reclaim occupied areas in the south faces many difficulties. Serhiy Herasymchuk, a military analyst, described the advance toward the port of Berdyansk in the south as "very difficult." Ukrainian forces hope to cut off the land communication route of Russian troops with the Crimean Peninsula by continuing their advances in this area. The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported in its daily update that it repelled 16 Ukrainian attacks in the eastern fronts, including around Bakhmut. Ukrainian defenders have recently begun their counteroffensive to reclaim occupied areas in the east and south of their country. The focus of the Ukrainians is on liberating villages in the southeast as they advance toward the Sea of Azov and areas near the city of Bakhmut in the east. Putin's forces captured Bakhmut in May after months of fighting. Antony Blinken: There are no signs of Russia's intention to change its approach in the Ukraine war. A Russian general: My soldiers have been stabbed in the back in Ukraine. Following reports of the "deterioration" of the situation, a Russian army commander was dismissed from his position. Zelensky after the NATO summit: "We do not accept a 'frozen war' with Russia." Simultaneously with the NATO summit, Russia attacked Ukraine for the second consecutive night. The G7 group announces a framework statement for international support for Ukraine.