Zelensky Defends Slow Offensive, Putin Sees Ukraine Losses Behind Lull, Russia Readies Sarmat

Russia says Ukrainian troops lost control of some long-term key positions in their failed attempt to attack in the Kupyansk area in Luhansk Oblast. Kyiv said Ukraine is “holding back a large-scale assault” by Russian forces near Bakhmut and Lyman. Some Russian media reports say Crimea’s rail lines were blown up overnight in apparent sabotage operations. Meanwhile, President Zelensky admitted that the counteroffensive has been “slower than desired” as Kyiv’s forces struggle to make a major breakthrough. President Putin said there was a “lull“ in the counteroffensive as Kyiv’s soldiers “understand they don’t stand a chance against our heroic and courageous fighters”. Putin has announced that Russia’s Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles soon to be deployed for combat duty. #russia #russiaukrainewar #ukraine #putin #usa Video: AP/AFP/Reuters/Twitter 0:00 - Introduction n18oc_world n18oc_crux CRUX is your daily video news guide to the bi