After months of waiting, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy has announced that the country’s long-awaited counteroffensive has begun. The offensive is aimed at halting the Russian-backed separatist groups that have been operating in Eastern Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said in a statement that “defensive actions” are being taken and that the situation in Ukraine is being closely monitored. He also expressed confidence that the Ukrainian military will be successful in its counteroffensive.

The move comes as tensions between Ukraine and Russia have escalated in recent months. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine have put a strain on relations between the two countries.

David Petraeus, the former Director of the CIA, expressed optimism about the Ukrainian offensive in an op-ed for The Washington Post. He wrote that “the current offensive offers a chance for Ukraine to reverse the recent losses it has sustained and to assert its control over its own territory.”

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has been ongoing for years, and the situation remains volatile. The international community will be closely watching the developments as Ukraine continues its counteroffensive.