In an interview with the national newscast, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy revealed that the Ukrainian military currently lacks the necessary ammunition to launch counteroffensive actions against Russian forces.
His admission comes amid Russian creeping gains on the frontline and Ukraine’s profound shell hunger, as its western partners dig deep to find scarce ammunition.
According to the president, several initiatives have been put in place to supply Ukraine with weapons, which are being distributed fairly among the brigades on the most intense fronts.
However, he also noted that Ukraine lacks the appropriate long-range shells and weapons to disrupt Russian counteroffensive actions. “We need the appropriate long-range shell or weapon to disrupt their actions in one direction or another, for example, to work on their airfields or planes, warehouses, or bases. But we don’t have enough of this,” the president stressed.
Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine is building three tiers of fortifications for future protection against a possible Russian offensive. According to the Ukrainian president, 92-98% of the work has been completed in some areas.
“The fact that we are building tiers is not a secret. The Russians and Belarusians, or the Russians on the territory of Belarus, should also know this. Yes, there are lines here. Yes, there will be three powerful lines of defense here. There is an army here. There are also ‘dragon’s teeth’ and anti-tank ditches – no secrets. Thanks to modern technology, they have all this anyway, but there is no need to hide it because they should know there will be resistance,” emphasized Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He addressed rumors of a possible Russian offensive on Kyiv, saying that several defensive lines protect the city.
Related:
- Zelenskyy: Ukraine needs 25 Patriot systems for full air defense protection
- Frontline report: Russia’s Kharkiv offensive rumors info-op, not genuine threat
