Commenting on rumors about a possible attempt of a new Russian offensive in the south of Zaporizhia region, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky said that Ukrainian forces "we can give them a good response" if this happens.

In an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, Syrsky cited Russia's latest attempt to seize Kharkiv region as an example.

"It failed," Syrsky said.

Fighting continued but he said Putin's attempt to create a "so-called security corridor" next to Russia's border and Belgorod region had been thwarted.

Answering a question about rumors that Moscow is planning another offensive in the south of Zaporizhia region, Syrsky said that if this happens, "we can give them a good response."

He described Russia's creeping victories as "tactical" ones – local gains rather than an "operational" breakthrough, such as the capture of a major city.

"In principle, the enemy has not made any significant progress," he said.

The frontline, he added, was 3,700km long. Active hostilities were taking place across 977km of it, or "twice the length of the border between Germany and France."

"It's very important for us to save the lives of our soldiers. We don't defend ruins to the death," Syrsky said. He said he was not willing to "achieve goals at any cost," or to chuck his men into "futile meat assaults." Sometimes it was necessary to move to "more favourable positions."

The Colonel General also did not specify when Ukraine would receive the long-awaited delivery of F-16 fighters.

"I know. But I can't tell you about it, unfortunately," he said.

Syrsky noted that the F-16s will strengthen Ukraine's air defense. They will allow Kyiv to more effectively fight Russian cruise missiles and accurately hit ground targets. However, he emphasized, there are limits to the F-16's capabilities. They must be at a distance of 40 km or more from the front line, since Moscow could shoot them down.