Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on X that Russia is currently depleting its strategic border reserves to maintain troop levels in Ukraine, while Kyiv expands its influence by exporting drone warfare expertise to the Middle East.
According to the President, Ukraine is currently eliminating Russian occupiers at the same rate they are being mobilized. However, the overall size of the Russian contingent on Ukrainian soil continues to grow. Zelenskyy attributed this to Moscow moving personnel away from its own international borders—a move he characterized as a “risky step” that weakens Russia’s security elsewhere.
New Russian Targets Identified
Citing recent military maps reviewed with top commanders Syrskyi and Hnatov, Zelenskyy stated that Russia has set a goal to capture Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, and Pokrovsk by the end of April.
“This is impossible, but it is not the first time they have set themselves some kind of deadline,” Zelenskyy said. He noted that British intelligence shares the assessment that Russian forces currently lack the capability to achieve these specific objectives.
Middle East Partnerships and Energy Security
In a significant shift in diplomatic strategy, Ukraine has sent military experts to several Middle East countries to assist with air defense and electronic warfare. Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian specialists successfully helped intercept Iranian-made “shahed” drones in multiple nations, though he did not name the specific countries involved.
In exchange for this expertise, Ukraine is securing critical resources to protect its power grid:
- Infrastructure Protection: Agreements for interceptors to guard energy facilities.
- Energy Supplies: Direct shipments of diesel and crude oil, with some oil being processed at European refineries.
- Long-term Accords: Ten-year security agreements with three nations, with ongoing talks involving Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
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Zelenskyy also highlighted technical milestones, noting that Ukraine has successfully shot down jet-powered drones and is moving toward mass-producing interceptors designed specifically for those high-speed targets.
The “Telegram” Factor and Russian Mobilization
Speculating on potential Russian domestic shifts, Zelenskyy suggested that a possible shutdown of the Telegram messaging app in Russia could signal a push for “unpopular decisions.” This could range from ending the war to a massive escalation involving residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg—demographics the Kremlin has previously shielded from the draft.
“He will no longer be able to avoid mobilization in the major cities he previously tried to bypass,” Zelenskyy remarked, noting that the Russian leadership is likely navigating a split between a radicalized 25% of society and those who fear further escalation.
The Diplomatic Calendar
The President warned of a “difficult” period through September, citing the upcoming U.S. elections as a factor that may shift American focus toward internal politics by August. He suggested that if Russia chooses de-escalation, trilateral meetings could occur between April and June.
Looking ahead to the NATO summit, Zelenskyy called for “unprecedented” action from partners, emphasizing that the security threats posed by the conflict are “not directed at just one country, but at all of us.”
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