Ukraine's forces call for strategic silence and tease long-awaited ... trends now
Kyiv renewed its plea for operational silence around the long-awaited counter-offensive against Russian forces with a clip of heavily-armed soldiers pressing their fingers to their lips.
The sleekly-produced footage features masked front-line troops gesturing for silence amid the distant rumble of artillery and gunfire.
It ends with images of soaring F-16 fighter jets - long coveted by Kyiv as it seeks to boost its air defence against Russian missiles and drones.
Authorities in recent days have cracked down on citizens sharing images or footage of air defence systems shooting down Russian missiles.
'Plans love silence. There will be no announcement of the start,' the ministry said in a video posted to official Telegram channels, apparently referring to the counter-offensive.
A Ukrainian soldier fires a mortar at Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sunday, May 28, 2023
Anticipation has mounted around what is expected to be a broad attack by Ukrainian forces to retake Russian-occupied territory in the east and south.
It comes after months of clashes around the devastated city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine in what had become the war's longest and bloodiest battle.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly discouraged public speculation over the counter-offensive operation, saying it could help the enemy.
Kyiv's Western allies in recent months have provided weapons, armour and ammunition for the counter-offensive, which military experts have said could prove difficult against dug-in Russian forces.
In an interview published on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was prepared for the operation but avoided making any predictions.
The sleekly-produced footage featured masked front-line troops gesturing for silence amid the distant rumble of artillery and gunfire
An officer of Ukraine's 59th Motorized Brigade controls a drone from a shelter in the suburbs of Donetsk, the site of fierce battles with the Russian forces, Ukraine, Friday, May 26, 2023
A Ukrainian soldier covers his ears while firing a mortar at Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, May 29, 2023
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the media as he arrives for the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Bulboaca, on June 1, 2023.
'We strongly believe that we will succeed,' Zelensky told the Wall Street Journal.
'To be honest, it can go a variety of ways, completely different,' he said.
'But we are going to do it, and we are ready.'
Kyiv hopes a counter-offensive to reclaim territory will change the dynamics of the war that has raged since Russia invaded its smaller neighbour 15 months ago.
Zelensky said last month Ukraine needed to wait for more Western armoured vehicles arrived before launching the counter-offensive.
He has been on a diplomatic push to maintain Western support, seeking more military aid and weapons, which is key for Ukraine to succeed in its plans.
Russia holds swathes of Ukrainian territory in the east, south and southeast.
A long spell of dry weather in some parts of Ukraine has driven anticipation that the counter-offensive might be imminent.
A Ukrainian army, German self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery fires toward Russian positions at the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, May 27, 2023
Over the last several weeks Ukraine has increased it strikes on Russian ammunition depots and logistical routes.
On Saturday, Ukraine's military said in a daily report that Mariinka in the Donetsk region in the east was the focus of fighting.
Ukrainian forces repelled all 14 Russian troops' attacks there, the report said.
Other senior officials, including Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, have similarly sought to tamp down expectations.
In some cases, however, the military has also fed the anticipation. Social media outreach by Kyiv has often been intended to intimidate the Kremlin.
Last week, it posted a flashy video depicting troops
