President asks for more weapons
Zelensky: Moscow’s air superiority stops counteroffensive
September 8, 2023, 6:54 p.m
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The Ukrainian offensive has been underway in the south and east of the country for weeks. But Kiev’s troops are making only gradual progress. According to President Zelensky, this is also due to the strength of the Russian Air Force.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s air superiority is “stopping” his country’s counteroffensive. “If we are not in the sky and Russia is, then they will stop us from the sky. They will stop our counteroffensive,” Zelensky said at a conference in Kiev.
Weapons deliveries from the West to Kiev and new sanctions against Russia would become “more complicated and slower,” Zelensky criticized. “When partners ask us, ‘What is the next step in the counteroffensive?’, my answer is that our steps today are probably faster than the new sanctions package” against Russia. Kiev has repeatedly been critical of the speed of measures intended to slow the Russian war effort.
The Ukrainian president reiterated that the Ukrainian army would advance faster if the West delivered faster, longer-range munitions that could hit Russian defenses, supply depots and logistics. “A certain weapon has a certain effect,” Zelensky said. “The stronger and the longer the range, the faster the counteroffensive will be.”
Training on F-16 fighter jets takes time
The West is hesitant about deliveries. He fears that Kiev could attack Russian territory despite promises to the contrary, which could lead to an escalation of the war.
Ukraine also complains that negotiations over the delivery of F-16 fighter jets have been slow. However, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway recently promised to supply Ukraine with these fighter aircraft, although their deployment will still take time, especially because of the necessary training.
At the beginning of June, Ukraine launched a large-scale counteroffensive to retake the territories occupied by Russia. As they advance against the Russian units, the Ukrainian forces encounter a dense network of tank traps, mines and trenches in the south of the country.