Zelenskyy on results of 40-day operation against Russia: I am satisfied

Ukrainian 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 against" further Russian 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 – ed.]… It was 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 act in a coordinated way 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, of course. 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 must understand that Ukraine strikes military targets. But if they continue, we understand all their weak points. Logistics is not a weak point for Ukrainians; it is a weak point for everyone. Logistics is about life, about everyday functioning, about habits. We have not had a normal life or such habits since the beginning of Russia's aggression. Russia does not feel this. When goods do not reach ordinary consumers in Russia due to disrupted logistics, people in Russia will feel it…

I would not advise Russia to continue striking Ukrainian logistics, because we have clearly studied what Russia's logistics are."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the Russians have "built three layers of air defence around Moscow, protecting electricity and energy facilities – everything they strike in Ukraine – understanding that we will respond in kind".

"But no matter how much air defence you have, it is depleted in any case, and we will still find technologies to respond so that they feel it," Zelenskyy said.

Background:

• On 25 June, Zelenskyy said he had approved a 40-day operation by the SSU targeting Russia to push it towards ending the war. Exactly 40 days had passed between that announcement and 4 August.
• On 3 August, Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office, commenting on the operation, urged people "not to fixate on deadlines".
• On 4 August, Zelenskyy said he had approved new operations by the Security Service of Ukraine.

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