Ukraine has plan for new offensive against Russia, says Zelensky

"There is a plan (for a counteroffensive), the plan is clear, I can't tell you the details," Zelensky told a news conference in the capital Kyiv.

 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visits a position of members of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces near the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 29, 2023. (photo credit: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visits a position of members of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces near the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 29, 2023.
(photo credit: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS)

Ukraine has a clear plan for a new counteroffensive against Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, adding that he could not disclose details publicly.

Kyiv's troops conducted a counteroffensive last year, but were unable to break through prepared defensive lines in the Russian-occupied south and east.

"There is a plan (for a counteroffensive), the plan is clear, I can't tell you the details," Zelensky told a news conference in the capital Kyiv.

A major military shake up

He said that a major military shakeup that saw the head of Ukraine's military replaced earlier this month was connected to the new plan of action on the battlefield.

"This plan is related to the change of management, there are corresponding changes. Several plans will be prepared due to a leak of information," Zelensky said, without elaborating.

Ukrainian servicemen fire a D-20 howitzer towards Russian troops at a position near the front line town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 11, 2023.  (credit: REUTERS/SOFIIA GATILOVA)
Ukrainian servicemen fire a D-20 howitzer towards Russian troops at a position near the front line town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 11, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/SOFIIA GATILOVA)

Zelensky said earlier that Kyiv's plans to conduct a counteroffensive last year had been leaked and ended up "on a desk in the Kremlin" before the operation had even begun.

He did not say how that leak had occurred.

Zelensky also said that troop rotations were critically important for the war effort and that Ukraine needed to better prepare its reserve forces.