Kiev, Ukraine – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive against alleged Russian military incursions. “We have taken efforts to put an end to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Our counteroffensive actions are under way and we will do everything possible to defend our sovereignty and integrity,” he said in a public statement.

The announcement comes amid increasing tensions between Ukraine and Russia over Crimea, a Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. Ukraine has accused Russia of providing military support to separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, which has resulted in a six-year-long conflict.

Zelenskyy, who was elected in April last year on a promise to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, said the counteroffensive was aimed at defending Ukraine’s borders and preventing any further incursions. He also called on Russia to stop its aggression and engage in talks to find a peaceful solution.

The Russian government has denied involvement in the conflict and has accused Ukraine of provoking the fighting. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that Russia has no intention of returning Crimea to Ukraine.

The conflict has claimed more than 13,000 lives and displaced over a million people. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and has urged both sides to engage in dialogue to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The announcement of the counteroffensive has been met with mixed reactions from Ukrainians. Some see it as a necessary step to defend the country’s sovereignty, while others fear that it could escalate the conflict and lead to more casualties.