Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that his country’s forces are planning new deep strikes against Russia, following a meeting with Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrsky.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that the forces and resources are prepared, and new deep strikes have been planned to continue active operations in defense of Ukraine.
According to Zelenskyy, the situation in the Zaporizhzhia direction and the enemy’s intentions have been analyzed in detail, as well as the situation in the border areas of the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Russia launched a deadly attack across Ukraine overnight on Saturday, hitting a five-storey residential building in Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskyy stated that the Russian army is concentrating its greatest efforts in Pokrovsk, a strategically important logistics hub in eastern Ukraine.
Zelenskyy reported that Russia is suffering heavy losses in the area, with over 290,000 Russian soldiers killed or severely injured in fighting across the frontline since the start of the year.
“The majority of these losses were sustained precisely in the Donetsk region, while failing to achieve any of their strategic objectives,” he wrote.
Russia has been trying to capture the mining town of Pokrovsk for more than two years and has massed a force of 100,000 troops near the town, according to Zelenskyy’s recent warning.
Ukraine is expanding its long-range arsenal to boost its ability to strike targets inside Russia. The country has developed new long-range weapons, including the Peklo missile drone, which has a reported range of 700 kilometers and can reach speeds of up to 700 kilometers per hour.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of being able to strike targets deep inside Russia, pressing Ukraine’s allies to supply more long-range weapons.
The Ukrainian president has also shared details about a successful drone operation, code-named “Spider’s web,” which targeted Russian military airbases deep inside the country.
The operation involved 117 drones and resulted in significant losses for Russia, with Zelenskyy describing it as a “brilliant” operation. Ukraine’s efforts to expand its domestic production of long-range weapons reflect widespread frustration in Kyiv over restrictions imposed by Western partners on attacks inside Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that new deep strikes against Russia are essential for the country’s defense. He has announced that Ukraine’s forces are planning new strikes deep into Russia, following a meeting with Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrsky.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the forces and resources are prepared, and new deep strikes have been planned to continue active operations in defense of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s plans for new deep strikes may be seen as a threat to its national security. Russia has been trying to capture the mining town of Pokrovsk for more than two years and has massed a force of 100,000 troops near the town. Russia’s ultimate goal is to achieve its strategic objectives in Ukraine, but Ukrainian deep strikes may hinder its progress.
Western allies have shifted their focus to helping Ukraine develop its long-range striking capabilities.
According to Alexander Kamyshin, advisor to President Zelenskyy for strategic affairs, Ukraine has the know-how to produce more drones and missiles for strikes deep into Russia, but needs financial backing from Western allies. The US is expected to provide Ukraine with $1.6 billion for its domestic long-range weapon production.
Military analysts believe that Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into Russia is crucial for the country’s defense strategy. By expanding its long-range arsenal, Ukraine can weaken Russia’s military potential and strengthen its own position ahead of any negotiations. Ukraine’s domestically produced missiles, such as the Peklo and Palyanytsia, have shown promising results in recent tests.
Diplomatic Perspective
Diplomatically, Ukraine’s plans for new deep strikes against Russia may impact ongoing peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
Ukraine has offered Russia a ceasefire, but Russia has chosen to continue the war. The success of Ukraine’s deep strikes may pressure Russia to reconsider its stance on negotiations.