“We need them today”
Ukraine demands more heavy weapons
September 9, 2023, 11:07 p.m
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Ukraine’s large-scale counteroffensive has been underway since the beginning of June. When advancing against the Russian units, the Ukrainian military repeatedly reaches its limits. New Defense Minister Umerov emphasizes that more heavy weapons are needed – urgently.
New Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has called on Kiev’s Western backers to quickly supply his country with more heavy weapons. “We are grateful for the support provided,” Umerov said in a speech at a conference in Kiev. “We need more heavy weapons,” he added. “We need them today. We need them now.”
At the same conference, President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously warned of the consequences of “slower” arms deliveries from the West for his country’s counteroffensive. “All processes are becoming more complicated and slower – from sanctions to the provision of weapons,” Zelensky explained. The longer it takes, the more people will suffer. “If we are not in the sky and Russia is, then they will stop us from the sky. They will stop our counteroffensive,” warned the president. And emphasized again that the Ukrainian army would advance faster if the West delivered longer-range ammunition more quickly.
At the beginning of June, Ukraine launched a large-scale counteroffensive to retake the territories occupied by Russia. As the Ukrainian forces advanced against the Russian units, they encountered large areas where tank traps and mines had been planted.
Umerov said: “Ukrainian warriors are sacrificing their lives today for the basic values of democracy and freedom. They need support from you, dear partners. And this support is weapons.” The 41-year-old Crimean Tatar took over the office from Oleksiy Reznikov, who was dismissed last week amid corruption scandals involving the military.