According to the president of Ukraine, Russia’s tactic is to exhaust the Ukrainians with a long-term campaign of drone attacks. During the beginning of the year, Ukraine has already shot down more than 80 drones, Zelenskyi claims.
Russia is planning a prolonged series of drone strikes to wear down Ukraine, says Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyi. He told about it in his daily video talk late on Monday evening.
– We have received information that Russia is planning a prolonged attack using Iranian Shahed drones, Zelenskyi said.
– The strikes are likely intended to exhaust our people, our air defense system and our energy sector, Zelenskyi said.
He adds that Ukraine must do everything possible so that the terrorists fail in their goals, as has happened before during the war.
Russia shot 40 drones towards Kyiv the night before Monday. According to the mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine shot down all the drones.
According to Zelensky, during the first two days of the year, Ukraine has already shot down more than 80 Iranian-made drones. He said he expected the number to rise in the near future and warned that nights could be restless in the coming weeks.
Ukraine-EU summit planned for February
Zelenskyi also said that he spoke with the president of the European Commission on Monday Ursula von der Leyen with. He said he was pleased that the first international discussion of the year was held with the management of the European Commission.
– We both understand the challenges of this winter for both Ukraine and Europe as a whole. We have discussed financial support for our country. We expect to receive in January the first part of the macroeconomic support agreed last year, Zelenskyi said.
The president considered financial support very important now that Russia is trying to gather new forces for its offensive.
According to Zelenskyi, the discussions have also included preparations for the summit between Ukraine and the EU, which is to be held in February.
– I believe that at this summit we will be able to define the key steps for the coming year for our common sustainability and profit.
According to a press release from Zelensky’s office, the meeting will be held in Kyiv on February 3.