As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters 100th day, Volodymyr Zelensky vows victory

Russian troops are now concentrating their forces in the Donbas, in the east, where some of the fiercest fighting is centred on the industrial hub city of Severodonetsk

Ukraine will emerge victor in the war started by Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 3 as Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour entered its 100th day with Russian troops pounding the Donbas region.

Thousands of people have been killed, millions sent fleeing and towns turned into rubble, since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine on February 24.

Russia’s advance has been slowed by a fierce Ukrainian resistance which repelled them from around the capital and forced Moscow to shift its aims towards capturing the east.

Russia has since taken a fifth of Ukrainian territory - tripling the land under its occupation from 2014 when it seized Crimea and parts of Donbas.

Moscow assessed that “certain results have been achieved,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, pointing to the “liberation” of some areas from what he called the “pro-Nazi armed forces of Ukraine”.

But Mr. Zelensky said Russia will not prevail appearing in a video accompanied by the same key political leaders also shown in a video posted on February 24 when they vowed to defend their country.

“Our team is much bigger. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are here. The most important - the people, the people of our state are here. Defending Ukraine for 100 days already,” he said.