Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed his country’s readiness to launch a “counterattack” to reconquer territories controlled by Russia.

“We firmly believe that we will succeed in this counterattack… I don’t know how long it will take… to be honest,” Zelensky told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published today. “But we are ready to do it.”

Kiev hopes the counterattack will change the course of the war with Russia that broke out 15 months ago.

Zelensky stressed last month that his country needed more Western weapons and military aid before launching a counterattack, as he made diplomatic efforts to maintain Western support.

Russia controls large swathes of Ukrainian territory to the east and south, and a prolonged drought in some parts of Ukraine has raised expectations that a counterattack may be imminent.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian ammunition depots and logistical supply routes.