Ukraine-Russia war – live: Zelensky says Kyiv could be on brink of big breakthrough: ‘They will run’

Ukraine could still achieve a big breakthrough in its counteroffensive before changing weather conditions make it harder to advance, president Volodymyr Zelensky says. Mr Zelensky’s forces have broken through the first of three main Russian defensive lines in Zaporizhzhia and could make more gains in the weeks to come, he said, though a breakthrough will not be “tomorrow or the day after tomorrow”. “If we push them [Russia] from the south, they will run,” he told The Economist in an interview. It comes after US military chief General Mark Milley said Kyiv could have as little as 30 days of fighting left before the onset of Ukraine’s infamously wet autumn weather makes battlefield movement more difficult. General Milley said the rains would make it “very difficult to manoeuvre” for both sides. Mr Zelensky reiterated the assessments of his military and Western intelligence agencies that Ukraine is making clear gains, however modest, in the east and south. “Keeping morale high is crucial. This is why even limited progress on the frontline is essential,” Mr Zelensky said. “Now we have movement. It’s important.” Read More Russia is turning to old ally North Korea to resupply its arsenal for the war in Ukraine Families in Gaza have waited years to move into new homes. Political infighting is keeping them out India avoids condemnation of Russia to produce united G20 declaration