Zelenskyy claims Ukraine has retaken over 1,000 settlements from Russian forces

As conflict between Russia and Ukraine enters its 80th day, with Kremlin troops continuously making vancements and Ukraine putting up tough resilience against invers, embattled President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that his armed forces are making progress in retaking areas formerly held by Russian forces, and furr stated that Ukrainian troops have so far retaken more than 1,000 "settlements" from Russian control, including six on Friday, May 13. He furr asserted that length of this war would depend on assistance offered by Ukrainian allies.

"This will depend, unfortunately, not only on our people, who are alrey giving ir maximum," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video dress to nation. "This will depend on our partners, on European countries, on entire free world," he ded.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine has retaken over 1,000 settlements from Russia

During his dress, President Zelenskyy also thanked everyone who is working to tighten sanctions against Moscow and increase military and financial support for Ukraine."This is only recipe for protecting freedom in face of Russian invasion. And for Western countries, this is not simply an expense. This is not about accounting; it's about future." On May 13, Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian forces h destroyed 200th Russian aircraft of war and mentioned Russia's heavy losses in tanks, armoured vehicles, helicopters, and drones.

After Russian forces gained control in Genichesk, a town in sourn Kherson region, y restored Lenin's statue. Recalling same, Zelenskyy asserted that Russian invers are making so much effort to restore Lenin's statue. "And for what? So that Lenin statue can stand for a bit longer in temporarily occupied Genichesk? re is and can be no or result for Russia." Speaking about evacuation operation, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine was engaged in "very difficult negotiations" to try to evacuate wounded fighters trapped in Mariupol steelworks. "We're talking about a large number of people. Of course, we are doing everything to evacuate all of rest, each of our defenders. We have alrey brought in everyone in world who can be most influential mediators," he ded.

(With Inputs from AP)

Image: AP