Zelenskiy's account, based on a report by Ukraine's top commander, contrasted with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's address to senior Russian officers a day earlier in which he said Moscow's forces held the strategic initiative in all frontline sectors. Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said he spoke for almost an hour to top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, with "particular attention on the Dobropillia operation, our counteroffensive".