In an exclusive interview with AFP, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns over the intensification of Russia’s offensive in the northeast, warning that Kyiv lacks sufficient air defenses to maintain its frontline positions. The recent surprise assault by Russian forces in the Kharkiv region has marked significant territorial gains, prompting Zelensky to caution that this could be the precursor to a broader offensive.
While Ukrainian forces managed to halt the advance after a five to ten-kilometer incursion, Zelensky stressed the need for increased international support, particularly in bolstering air defense capabilities. Currently, Ukraine possesses only a quarter of the necessary air defense resources, underscoring the urgent need for additional fighter jets and advanced aircraft to counter Russia’s aerial superiority.
Zelensky emphasized that achieving air parity with Russia requires acquiring approximately 120 to 130 F-16 fighter jets or equivalent aircraft. However, despite calls for assistance, Ukraine remains constrained in its ability to defend against Russian aggression.
Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the northeastern offensive as a response to Ukrainian actions along the border regions, framing it as a bid to establish a “security zone.” Russian forces have made substantial territorial gains, seizing 278 square kilometers since May 9, marking their most significant advances in over a year.
As the conflict escalates, Ukraine has mobilized its defenses and evacuated nearly 10,000 individuals from the affected border areas. However, reports of civilian casualties and alleged human rights abuses by Russian soldiers underscore the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
Facing challenges in recruitment and morale among its armed forces, Ukraine has lowered the conscription age and tightened measures to ensure military readiness. The prolonged conflict has strained resources and tested the resolve of Ukrainian soldiers, many of whom have served for extended periods without rotation.
Despite mounting pressure from Western allies for a swift resolution to the conflict, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to a lasting peace, emphasizing the need for a firm stance against Russian aggression. He called on international partners to provide unequivocal support, including the authorization to strike into Russian territory using Western-supplied weaponry.
In the face of escalating tensions and the evolving dynamics of the conflict, Zelensky’s appeal for solidarity underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for concerted international action to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.