A major Ukrainian counteroffensive mounted against Russia for the past three months has been "effective," and the attacks will continue until Russian forces withdraw, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in a recent interview.
Podolyak also denied in the exclusive interview with Kyodo News that cease-fire negotiations were on the agenda, stating that such talks at this point "would mean surrender for Ukraine."
Despite a lack of air dominance, ammunition, and long-range artillery, the Ukrainian military have broken through the first line of defense constructed by Russian forces and are steadily advancing, with any delays due to the pace of weapons supply from the West, according to Podolyak, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Podolyak also speculated that attacks within Russian territory on airports and other targets by anti-government groups would only increase.
Western countries have come to accept the Ukrainian counterattacks on the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, despite initial concerns that they would only escalate tensions, Podolyak said.
As Russia has militarized the peninsula and is using it to resupply, "we will destroy all military-related facilities in Crimea to reduce frontline combat," he said.
Ukraine's goal is not to advance troops to borders drawn in 1991 after the country declared independence from the Soviet Union, but to "disrupt Russian battle lines and force them to withdraw from Ukrainian territory," Podolyak stressed.
He accused Russia of trying to buy time by pretending to seek a cease-fire and initiate negotiations.
But Podolyak expressed hope for changes within Russia following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin was involved in the incident.
Putin has started to suspect everyone after the group staged a rebellion against him, with "repression against close associates also likely to begin," Podolyak said.
Podolyak also expressed his gratitude toward Japan for its support, saying the country is "supporting the principles of democracy and freedom in the world."
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