Latest news with #RBKUkraine
Japan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Japan Times
As Russia intensifies attacks, Ukraine air defenses under strain
A wave of massive Russian aerial attacks has stretched Ukraine's air defenses, raising fears about Kyiv's reliance on Western systems to protect its skies in the fourth year of Russia's invasion. As the two sides open peace talks and Kyiv pushes for an immediate ceasefire, Moscow has launched its heaviest air assaults of the war, pummeling Ukraine with more than 900 drones and 90 missiles in a three-day barrage last weekend. Ukraine downed over 80% of the incoming projectiles, but more than a dozen people were killed. Experts worry how long the country can fend off the nightly attacks if Russia maintains — or escalates — its strikes. "Ukraine's air defenses are stretched thin and cannot guarantee protection for all cities against persistent and sophisticated Russian attacks," military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady said. Russia's drone and missile attacks have become more complex — and harder to thwart — throughout the war. Kyiv's air force says around 40% of drones launched recently are decoys — cheaper dummy craft that mimic attack drones and are designed to exhaust and confuse air defenses. Russia increasingly sets drones to fly at a higher altitude — above 2,000 meters — and then dive down onto targets. "At that altitude, they're more visible to our radars but unreachable for small arms, heavy machine guns and mobile fire teams," air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told RBK Ukraine. In addressing the threat, Ukraine is trying to strike a balance between pressing the West to deliver new systems and not wanting to concern a war-weary public at home. "There's no need to panic," a Ukraine military source said. "We're using all air defense systems that are available in Ukraine now, plus helicopters and aircraft. We are fighting somehow," they said. 'Scale up' Moscow has the capacity to fire 300 to 500 drones a day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week. "By scaling up the use of Shaheds, they are forcing us to resort to expensive options," military analyst Sergiy Zgurets said, referring to the Iranian-designed drones that are packed with explosives to detonate as they crash into buildings. "This is a war of attrition that must be based on economic grounds — we must shoot down Shaheds with less sophisticated alternatives," he said. A residential building in Kyiv damaged by a drone strike on May 25. | AFP-Jiji Ukraine uses several tools to protect its skies — from advanced Western fighter jets and air defense batteries like the U.S.-made Patriot anti-missile system, to small mobile air defense teams armed with guns. New technology has also become vital, such as the electronic jamming of drones to make them drop from the sky. Increasingly, interceptors are being deployed — smaller, cheaper drones that take on enemy drones mid-air. "We are already using them. The question now is when we will be able to scale up," Zelenskyy said of the interceptors. He too sees the issue as one of economics. "The question is no longer about production capacity... It is a financial issue," he told journalists. 'Real protection' Beyond drones, Russia is also deploying super-fast ballistic missiles, which are much more difficult to intercept. "The biggest vulnerability lies in defending against ballistic missiles," said analyst Gady. A midday strike last month on the northeastern city of Sumy killed at least 35 people, while a hit near a children's playground in Zelenskyy's home city of Kryvyi Rig left 19 dead, including nine children. To fend off ballistic missile attacks, Ukraine relies on a small number of Patriot systems. They are concentrated around Kyiv, leaving other areas more exposed than the relatively better-protected capital. Gady said the current supply of missiles for them is "sufficient" given the level of Russian strikes at the moment. "But it is generally insufficient when compared to Russian ballistic missile production." Ukraine also faces potential shortages given delays in U.S. output, according to Zgurets, creating "gaps" in Ukraine's "fight against enemy hypersonic targets and ballistics." Deliveries of other key Western systems are expected over the next 18 months, but uncertainty is high given President Donald Trump's criticism of aid for Ukraine. U.S. packages approved under predecessor Joe Biden are trickling in, but Trump has not announced any fresh support. "Delivering air defense systems to us means real protection for people — here and now," Zelenskyy said in a recent call for Western backing. On a visit to Berlin on Wednesday, he said: "Defending our cities requires constant support with air defense systems."
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Ukraine ‘should focus on hi-tech war of survival rather than recapturing territory'
Ukraine's ambassador to the UK has said Kyiv should focus on fighting a 'hi-tech war of survival' that minimises the loss of its military personnel and not expect to recapture Russian-occupied territory, including Crimea and in the Donbas. The comments by Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former head of Ukraine's armed forces, comes during an apparently widespread effort from Ukrainian officials to reset public expectations over the progress of a war that has ground on for more than three years amid fears there is no end in sight to the fighting. Zalzhnyi's comments, made at a forum in Kyiv on Thursday that he addressed by video, mark a change in emphasis from earlier in the conflict when Ukrainian leaders were insistent that the country needed to liberate all Russian-occupied land including Crimea. 'I hope that there are not people in this room who still hope for some kind of miracle or lucky sign that will bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022 and that there will be great happiness afterward,' the RBK Ukraine news site and other media quoted Zaluzhnyi telling the forum. 'We can speak only about a hi-tech war of survival, using a minimum of economic means to achieve maximum benefit,' he was quoted as saying. 'Ukraine is not capable of another war in terms of demography and economy, and we shouldn't even entertain the thought,' he added. Echoing recent remarks of other senior officials and analysts, Zaluzhnyi suggested Russia would continue fighting for as long as it had the resources and manpower, despite its heavy losses, while saying Ukraine should turn its efforts to minimising its own human losses through hi-tech means. 'My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, forces and means to launch strikes on our territory and attempt specific offensive operations,' he said. Zaluzhnyi was replaced as Ukraine's top commander in February 2024 after months of reported disagreements between him and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Opinion polls show Zaluzhnyi to be among the most popular public figures with Ukrainians. Polls also show Zelenskiy's rating rising since his confrontation with Donald Trump at a White House meeting in February. Zaluzhnyi's comments follow the announcement in March by Ukraine's armed forces that it planned to rapidly expand the use of a 'drone wall' or 'drone line' to counter Russian forces. Explaining the concept earlier this week, the former Australian general Mick Ryan depicted the proposed drone wall as 'designed to provide a continuous defensive corridor of drones along Ukraine's most vulnerable frontiers to inflict significant casualties on Russian forces, and act as a deterrent against aggression in quieter areas of the frontline'. Writing in his Futura Doctrina newsletter, Ryan said: 'For some time, Ukrainian officials have discussed the creation of a drone line, or as has it has been described more recently, a drone wall, along the frontline. This drone wall is designed to establish a 10-15-kilometre-wide zone which, according to recent comments by the Ukrainian defence minister, offers ir support and cover to the infantry, that makes the enemy's advance unattainable without losses.' Sign up to This is Europe The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment after newsletter promotion While adding that Ukraine had already made extensive use of drones in pursuit of this objective, he continued: 'Until recently, the enormous scope of drone operations across the frontline was not envisaged or constructed as a single technological entity.' His comments came as the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said on Friday that Moscow would not allow Russian-speakers in Ukraine to remain under the rule of what he called a 'junta' led by President Zelenskyy. Lavrov said it would be a 'crime' for Russia to allow this to happen. He added that the simplest way to settle the conflict would be for the international community to demand that Ukraine cancel laws discriminating against Russian-speakers. Kyiv denies any such discrimination. Lavrov's comments highlighted Russia's insistence, in any peace talks, on enforcing the same demands it made at the start of the war. He also appeared to also dismiss Donald Trump's suggestion of Vatican mediation to end the conflict. Reuters contributed to this article
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says
(Reuters) -Ukraine should abandon any notion of restoring its borders established with the 1991 collapse of Soviet rule or even those dating from the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, the country's former military commander was quoted as saying on Thursday. Valery Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine's ambassador to London, was replaced as top commander in February 2024 after months of reported disagreements between him and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy and other public figures have long called for the eviction of Russian forces and a return to Ukraine's 1991 post-Soviet borders, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. But as efforts over recent months have focused on launching talks to secure a ceasefire, public statements by Kyiv have been more moderate on the question of ceding territory. "I hope that there are not people in this room who still hope for some kind of miracle or lucky sign that will bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022 and that there will be great happiness afterward," the RBK Ukraine news site quoted Zaluzhnyi as telling a forum in Kyiv. "My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, forces and means to launch strikes on our territory and attempt specific offensive operations." Zaluzhnyi said Russia had been waging a war of attrition for a year and, given Ukraine's smaller forces and difficult economic circumstances, its only hope was to rely on advanced technology. "We can speak only about a high-tech war of survival, using a minimum of economic means to achieve maximum benefit," he was quoted as saying. Opinion polls show Zaluzhnyi to be among the most popular public figures with Ukrainians. Polls also show Zelenskiy's rating rising since his confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House meeting in February. With Trump attempting to pressure both Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict, Ukraine has agreed to launch direct talks with Russia but first wants a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. The European Union, in the absence of Russian agreement on a ceasefire, this week imposed new sanctions on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said discussions on a memorandum it proposes to draft with Ukraine would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire, including its time frame.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Valerii Zaluzhnyi attends a presentation of Ukrainian military drones during a visit of British PM Starmer, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine January 16, Ratushniak/File Photo (Reuters) -Ukraine should abandon any notion of restoring its borders established with the 1991 collapse of Soviet rule or even those dating from the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, the country's former military commander was quoted as saying on Thursday. Valery Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine's ambassador to London, was replaced as top commander in February 2024 after months of reported disagreements between him and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy and other public figures have long called for the eviction of Russian forces and a return to Ukraine's 1991 post-Soviet borders, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. But as efforts over recent months have focused on launching talks to secure a ceasefire, public statements by Kyiv have been more moderate on the question of ceding territory. "I hope that there are not people in this room who still hope for some kind of miracle or lucky sign that will bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022 and that there will be great happiness afterward," the RBK Ukraine news site quoted Zaluzhnyi as telling a forum in Kyiv. "My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, forces and means to launch strikes on our territory and attempt specific offensive operations." Zaluzhnyi said Russia had been waging a war of attrition for a year and, given Ukraine's smaller forces and difficult economic circumstances, its only hope was to rely on advanced technology. "We can speak only about a high-tech war of survival, using a minimum of economic means to achieve maximum benefit," he was quoted as saying. Opinion polls show Zaluzhnyi to be among the most popular public figures with Ukrainians. Polls also show Zelenskiy's rating rising since his confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House meeting in February. With Trump attempting to pressure both Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict, Ukraine has agreed to launch direct talks with Russia but first wants a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. The European Union, in the absence of Russian agreement on a ceasefire, this week imposed new sanctions on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said discussions on a memorandum it proposes to draft with Ukraine would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire, including its time frame. (Reporting by Ron PopeskiEditing by Rod Nickel)
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Valerii Zaluzhnyi attends a presentation of Ukrainian military drones during a visit of British PM Starmer, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine January 16, Ratushniak/File Photo Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says Ukraine should abandon any notion of restoring its borders established with the 1991 collapse of Soviet rule or even those dating from the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, the country's former military commander was quoted as saying on Thursday. Valery Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine's ambassador to London, was replaced as top commander in February 2024 after months of reported disagreements between him and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy and other public figures have long called for the eviction of Russian forces and a return to Ukraine's 1991 post-Soviet borders, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. But as efforts over recent months have focused on launching talks to secure a ceasefire, public statements by Kyiv have been more moderate on the question of ceding territory. "I hope that there are not people in this room who still hope for some kind of miracle or lucky sign that will bring peace to Ukraine, the borders of 1991 or 2022 and that there will be great happiness afterward," the RBK Ukraine news site quoted Zaluzhnyi as telling a forum in Kyiv. "My personal opinion is that the enemy still has resources, forces and means to launch strikes on our territory and attempt specific offensive operations." Zaluzhnyi said Russia had been waging a war of attrition for a year and, given Ukraine's smaller forces and difficult economic circumstances, its only hope was to rely on advanced technology. "We can speak only about a high-tech war of survival, using a minimum of economic means to achieve maximum benefit," he was quoted as saying. Opinion polls show Zaluzhnyi to be among the most popular public figures with Ukrainians. Polls also show Zelenskiy's rating rising since his confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House meeting in February. With Trump attempting to pressure both Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict, Ukraine has agreed to launch direct talks with Russia but first wants a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. The European Union, in the absence of Russian agreement on a ceasefire, this week imposed new sanctions on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said discussions on a memorandum it proposes to draft with Ukraine would include the principles of a settlement and the timing and definitions of a possible ceasefire, including its time frame. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
