Reznikov said that after the initial Russian attack on Feb. 24, Moscow was expecting that Ukraine would capitulate in couple of days and the Kremlin would establish a new Russian system in Ukraine.

Read here The Ukrainians have recently liberated villages in the east of Kharkiv

However, Reznikov said, the “Ukrainian army and the entire Ukrainian population repulsed the occupiers and thwarted their plans.”

"In a month, Ukraine achieved integration in the field of defense, which could not be achieved for 30 years. We receive heavy weapons from our partners. In particular, American 155 mm M777 howitzers are already deployed at the front. Three months ago, this was considered impossible," Reznikov said.

Reznikov added that he was "focusing on the need to provide for one million people who will be facing the enemy".

He warned that "extremely tough weeks are ahead" and that Ukraine needed "unity, cohesion, will and patience" during this extremely difficult period.

Mariupol

Ukrainian officials say that the besieged soldiers at the Azovstal steel plant have again come under Russian bombardment.

Petro Andriushchenko, an adviser to Mariupol's mayor, said that aircraft had dropped heavy bombs on the plant, "because very powerful explosions are being heard. People also saw pillars of smoke.