Zelenskyy announces new "asymmetric" Security Service operations inside Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he has approved new "asymmetric responses" to Russia's war.

Source: Zelenskyy during his evening address on 8 October

Details: Zelenskyy stated that he had listened to a report from Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), following which he had approved "some plans for the Service, our asymmetric responses to Russia's war".

He praised the effective work of the soldiers from the SSU's Alpha Special Operations Centre who are fighting on the line of contact, particularly on the Pokrovsk front.

Zelenskyy also focused on the situation on the battlefield, which he discussed for nearly an hour with Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Special attention was given to the Dobropillia counteroffensive operation. The president noted that since it began on 21 August, Russian forces had suffered enormous losses near Pokrovsk and Dobropillia.

"The Russians have already suffered over 12,000 losses – and that's just in the Pokrovsk and Dobropillia areas, specifically since 21 August. Of those 12,000, more than 7,200 are irrecoverable losses," he stressed.

Zelenskyy also spoke about the results of the third Defence Industries Forum, where meetings were held with representatives of Ukrainian and foreign weapons manufacturers. He emphasised that Ukraine is achieving significant progress in developing its own production and in cooperation with international partners. As an example of effectiveness, the president cited "long-range sanctions" against Russia, including strikes on its oil infrastructure.

Quote: "According to our data, the fuel shortage in Russia is already approaching 20% – this specifically concerns their petrol supply. They've now begun tapping into diesel reserves, which they've been saving for a rainy day."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had rejected all proposals for a ceasefire, so "it's only fair that Russia bears the war's full cost".

"The weapons producers are ensuring that," he stressed.

In conclusion, the president announced preparations for new sanctions against Russia and upcoming meetings with partners in the United States and Europe. Zelenskyy underlined that Ukraine was not rejecting any real path to peace but believes that "only pressure on Russia will work".

Background: Zelenskyy held a meeting with Maliuk, who reported on the results of long-range strikes on Russian targets and on their losses on the Pokrovsk front.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!