Washington, May 31: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a warning that Russia may launch a significant attack in the coming days using drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. He has urged the United States to increase the supply and production of air defense systems and interceptor missiles for Ukraine.
In an interview with CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Zelensky stated that intelligence from Ukrainian agencies and Western allies indicates a high likelihood of a major Russian offensive in the near future.
He remarked, “The possibility of a large attack tonight or tomorrow night is quite high. However, no one can say with 100% certainty.” Zelensky urged Ukrainian citizens to utilize bomb shelters and remain vigilant.
He noted that Russia has been continuously attacking, recently executing one of the largest assaults of the war. According to him, this attack involved nearly 600 drones and over 30 ballistic missiles.
Zelensky highlighted that the lack of systems to defend against ballistic missiles remains Ukraine’s greatest challenge. In this context, he has written to the White House and the U.S. Congress requesting additional assistance.
The Ukrainian President emphasized that the issue is not just about financial resources but also about production capacity. He stated that current production levels are insufficient to meet global demand.
Zelensky once again requested the U.S. to allow licensed production of missile components for the Patriot missile system in Ukraine, asserting that this would significantly enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
He also accused Russia of testing NATO’s response through drone incidents in neighboring countries, specifically mentioning Romania and other countries bordering Ukraine.
Speaking on diplomatic efforts, Zelensky expressed his willingness to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin but stressed the need for tougher sanctions to compel Moscow to engage in serious talks.
He noted that recent easing of some restrictions on Russian oil exports indirectly supports Russia’s war efforts and benefits its defense industry.
Zelensky reiterated accusations against Russia for forcibly taking thousands of Ukrainian children. He stated that Ukraine has identified around 20,000 children, of which approximately 2,200 have been returned so far.
Additionally, he mentioned that Ukraine is working on drone technology partnerships with European and Middle Eastern countries and hopes to finalize a significant agreement with the United States. He believes that collaboration between American artificial intelligence (AI) companies and Ukrainian battlefield innovations could lead to one of the world’s most powerful partnerships.
It is important to note that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. This conflict is regarded as the largest war in Europe since World War II, resulting in heavy military losses on both sides and widespread devastation in Ukraine. Western nations have provided substantial military and financial support to Kyiv.
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