WAR IN UKRAINE

Ukraine has one million ready for fightback to recapture south

Ukrainian soldiers on an intelligence-gathering mission in Donetsk, Donbas, in the spring. The defenders hope now to turn Russian out of territories in the south of the country
Ukrainian soldiers on an intelligence-gathering mission in Donetsk, Donbas, in the spring. The defenders hope now to turn Russian out of territories in the south of the country
ALAMY

Ukraine is massing a million-strong fighting force equipped with western weapons to recover its southern territory from Russia, the nation’s defence minister has revealed to The Times.

In his first interview with a British newspaper since the invasion began, Oleksii Reznikov said President Zelensky had ordered Ukraine’s military to retake occupied coastal areas which are vital to the country’s economy.

“We understand that, politically, it’s very necessary for our country. The president has given the order to the supreme military chief to draw up plans. After that the general staff are doing their homework and say to achieve this goal we need XYZ,” he said. “This is my job. I’m writing letters to counterparts in partner countries, the generals talk about why we need