Even though Russia occupies a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, President Zelensky is optimistic. Now his so-called victory plan is to be presented publicly.
After weeks of discussion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will publicly present his so-called victory plan to parliament in Kiev this Wednesday. Zelensky recently presented the new strategy for ending the war to his Western partners during visits to Washington, London, Paris, Rome and Berlin. This Thursday he is also scheduled to present the plan at the EU summit in Brussels.
The Ukrainian head of state hopes to force the aggressor Russia to make peace. As far as is known, an invitation to the Western military alliance NATO is part of the strategy. Ukraine is also demanding clearance for the use of long-range Western weapons against targets on Russian territory. This is intended to bring the war more deeply into Russian society.
Stronger anti-aircraft defenses are also on Zelensky’s wish list. Russian missiles and drones are also said to be launched from Polish or Romanian territory. Kyiv also expects greater Western investment in the Ukrainian defense industry.
Most recently, Zelenskyj had repeatedly expressed the hope of being able to end the war in 2025 on Ukrainian terms. Russia invaded the neighboring country in February 2022. It controls around a fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.
Kyiv is preparing for the third winter of war
Meanwhile, Ukraine is preparing for its third winter of war and further Russian attacks on its energy supply network. As President Zelensky announced, he met with representatives of various ministries and the country’s energy suppliers to discuss measures to protect the infrastructure. “Every department and every institution has clear tasks,” said Zelenskyj in his evening video address.
“The discussion covered all levels of energy infrastructure protection, including technical aspects, as well as electronic warfare and anti-aircraft defense,” Zelenskyy reported on the Telegram platform.
“The Air Force will be involved,” said Zelensky, indicating some of the protective measures discussed. “We have also decided to strengthen our anti-aircraft defenses along the fronts and borders.” In addition, details of strengthening air defense were discussed, as were possible defense measures against kamikaze drones and various types of missiles used by the Russian side. Plans have also been drawn up to quickly repair damage and decentralize energy suppliers.
During the past two winters of war, the Russian military has repeatedly attacked and severely damaged Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. With the loss of electricity and the associated water and heat supply during the coldest time of year, the civilian population of Ukraine was put under pressure. Ukraine has now received massive help from abroad to rebuild the energy network and additional anti-aircraft systems to protect it.
Discussion about age of mobilization
The USA is obviously putting pressure on Kiev to lower the age limit for mobilization from the current 25 years. Presidential advisor Serhiy Leschtschenko reported this on Telegram. “US politicians from both parties are pressing President Zelensky to ask why Ukraine is not mobilizing 18- to 25-year-olds,” wrote Leshchenko. The Americans used the argument that 19-year-olds were also drafted in the Vietnam War.
The American side is thereby indicating that Western weapons alone are not enough, so Kiev should also mobilize young people aged 18 and over. Zelenskyj, however, is trying to maintain the current procedure. In Ukraine, able-bodied men between the ages of 25 and 60 are being mobilized. Young men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register for military service and are not allowed to leave the country during this time. However, these vintages are considered weak.
Fighting in eastern Ukraine continues
On the fronts in eastern Ukraine, the warring parties once again fought heavy and costly battles. The focus was once again on the hotspots of Toretsk and Pokrovsk. In Toretsk, half of which Russian units already control, the Ukrainian defenders were exposed to several Russian air strikes, as the General Staff in Kiev announced in its situation report.
A total of 14 Russian attacks were recorded in daily sales at Pokrovsk. The Russian Air Force also attacked on this section of the front and hit the Ukrainian positions with guided glide bombs.
In view of the threatened advance of Russian troops, the Ukrainian authorities ordered the evacuation of parts of the civilian population from the Kupiansk region. Families with children were ordered to leave the city, military administrator Oleh Synyehubow said on television. Kupyansk is located east of Kharkiv.
The Ukrainian air defense reported new incursions by Russian drones in the evening. Several swarms were spotted near the cities of Sumy and Kharkiv. Drone flights were later reported from Mykolaiv and Kherson in the south. Alarms have been raised for a number of cities, including Kyiv. The anti-aircraft defense system is in use in several regions, Ukrainian media reported without further information.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
