2023-06-04 14:02:00
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to thank soldiers heralds a tough battle ahead
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky used his daily speech on Saturday to thank the troops on the front lines or fighting for control of their skies: the fighters who will be especially important in the rumored counter-offensive that is expected to lance Kyiv.
In his speeches, Zelensky often thanks individual units, but this Saturday he named more than a dozen individuals, including majors, gunners, marines, and foot soldiers.
“We should all remember that our defense, our active actions and the independence of Ukraine are not something abstract. They are very concrete people, concrete actions of concrete heroes, thanks to which Ukraine exists and will exist,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president ended his speech by asking all Ukrainians to personally thank the military.
Zelensky’s speech comes amid ongoing speculation that Ukraine’s long-awaited counter-offensive, which has seemed imminent for weeks, might be launched in the coming days. The Ukrainian president affirmed that Kyiv is prepared to carry out the operation in an interview with The Wall Street Journal published this saturday.
“I think, as of today, we are ready to do it. We would like to have certain things, but we can’t wait for months,” Zelensky said.
Last month Ukraine needed a “little more time”, probably to allow for the delivery of more Western military aid; including much-needed air defense systems.
Zelensky has been pressing Western powers for months to provide Ukraine with fighter jets and weapons to help control the skies, as they would help limit the number of casualties from Ukrainian jets during any potential counteroffensive.
In his interview with the Wall Street Journal, Zelensky acknowledged that Russia retains air superiority at the front. He said the lack of protection from Russian air power means “a large number of soldiers will die.”
“Everyone knows perfectly well that any counteroffensive in the world without control in the skies is very dangerous,” Zelensky said.
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