Zelenskyy says he is satisfied with results of 40-day operation against Russia
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is satisfied with the results of a 40-day operation aimed at exerting pressure on Russia and has "advised the Russians against" carrying out further strikes on Ukrainian logistics.
Source: Zelenskyy in an interview for the national joint 24/7 newscast on 8 August
Quote: "After they [the Russians – ed.] began striking our logistics, we found another logistical approach and responded to them. The losses there are staggering – a trillion roubles (approximately US$12 billion)… This has been a very successful operation by Ukrainian forces. It involved the Armed Forces, the Special Operations Forces, Defence Intelligence, the Security Service and the Foreign Intelligence Service. Today we work together when carrying out long-range or even mid-range strikes."
Details: Asked whether he was satisfied with the results of the 40-day operation, Zelenskyy said: "I am satisfied, absolutely. Our logistical responses – we understand how much they have lost; they have serious problems."
Quote: "They have long allowed themselves to strike non-military targets, and they must understand that Ukraine strikes military targets, but that if they continue, we know all their weak points. Logistics is not [just] a weak point for Ukrainians; it is a weak point for everyone. Logistics is about life, everyday functioning, routine. We have not had a normal life or routine since the beginning of Russia's aggression. Russia does not feel this. When products don't reach ordinary consumers in Russia because of disrupted logistics, then people in Russia will feel it…
I would advise Russia against continuing to strike Ukrainian logistics, because we have clearly studied Russia's logistics."
Details: Zelenskyy noted that the Russians have "built three layers of air defence around Moscow to protect the electricity and energy facilities – all the things they strike in Ukraine – because they realise that we will respond in kind".
"But no matter how much air defence you have, it runs out anyway, and we will still find technologies to respond so that they feel it," he said.
Background:
- On 25 June, Zelenskyy announced that he had approved a 40-day operation by the Security Service of Ukraine to push Russia towards ending the war. The 40 days came to an end on 4 August.
- Commenting on the operation on 3 August, Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office, urged people "not to fixate on deadlines".
- On 4 August, Zelenskyy said he had approved new operations by the SSU.
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