Particular importance of drones
Zelensky promises the Russian army a surprise
February 17, 2024, 11:21 a.m
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Ukrainian President Zelenskyj sees the reason for the lack of success in the fight against Russia in the lack of anti-aircraft defenses and especially long-range weapons. Nevertheless, his country will not give up; drones will play a larger role in this year of war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized the importance of drones and especially anti-aircraft defenses in defending his country against Russia’s war of aggression. In areas where Ukraine has air sovereignty, normalization of life is possible, said Zelenskyj in a speech at the Munich Security Conference. But: “We don’t have enough of it.” You have to gain air supremacy in order to have success again on the fronts in the defensive battle against Russia. He also highlighted the importance of drones in the war. “We will be able to surprise them this year,” he says, referring to the Russian armed forces.
According to the Ukrainian president, the lack of artillery and long-range weapons is also responsible for Ukraine’s lack of success in the war against Russia. This “artificial weapons deficit” means that “it is currently not possible to fight with this high intensity,” said Zelensky. With appropriate weapon systems and artillery with a longer range, “we can achieve goals,” the president called for further arms deliveries.
Zelenskyj sees two options for Putin
According to Zelenskyj, Russia has a special advantage in the war of aggression against Ukraine: “Human life has no value for the Russian state,” said the Ukrainian head of state. “Putin kills whoever he wants”.
It was only on Friday that Putin sent a clear message to the Munich Security Conference by murdering a Russian opposition figure, says Zelensky, referring to the death of the imprisoned government critic Alexei Navalny. “Putin is a danger to all free nations.” It must be clear that there are only two options for Putin’s future: either the Russian president ends up before the International Criminal Court in The Hague or he is killed.
Zelensky is at the Munich Security Conference in person for the first time since the start of the Ukrainian war. Last year, the Ukrainian president appeared via video. Before him, Chancellor Olaf Scholz had already called on European countries to provide more military aid to Ukraine.