Ukraine's counteroffensive is behind schedule but is going according to plan - Reznikov

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said this in an interview with CNN over the weekend in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.

Reznikov admitted that Kyiv's counteroffensive is behind schedule, but insisted he is "not worried" because it is going according to plan, adding that it was a "misconception that every counteroffensive should be quick."

He listed a few reasons why the counteroffensive may be slower than anticipated.

"It's a question of air defense. It's a question that we have a very long battlefield line also. And we have against us a big quantity of enemies. So it's war, it's not a computer game. Our generals, our commanders, they see the real situation on the battlefield. And again, I have to repeat the main value for us is the life of our soldiers," Reznikov said.

He added that the situation on the southern front in Ukraine had been slowed largely due to intricate minefields laid by Russian forces who were given time to build up defenses. Ukrainian forces have had to resort to clearing, by hand, paths through the fields, Reznikov said.

"We need to use our soldiers, sappers, deminers very slowly, and very slowly preparing the corridors for the real offensive movement," Reznikov said, adding this activity in different places would confuse Russians on the main direction that Ukraine would take.