President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine needed a “significant acceleration” of arms deliveries from its partners to enable its troops to deal with the advance of Russian troops in several sectors of the front line, according to AFP.
Volodymyr ZelenskyPhoto: Pool / Ukrainian Presidency / Zuma Press / Profimedia
A stern-eyed Zelenskiy made the comments in his evening video address as his supreme commander acknowledged that Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from villages in some of the most contested sectors of the two-year war.
“We need a significant acceleration of deliveries to tangibly increase the capabilities of our soldiers,” Zelenskiy said.
Ukraine suffers losses
He specifically pointed to US arms shipments, after a six-month supply slowdown, as critical to restoring the situation at key points along the 1,000 km front line.
“We rely heavily on prompt deliveries from the United States. These deliveries must be felt in disrupting the logistics of the occupiers, in making them fear anywhere in the occupied territory,” he said.
Russia wants a big victory for May 9
As he listed areas in the east and northeast where fighting remains intense, Zelenskiy said, “Wherever Russia is pressing we must push them out. And where new threats of assault may arise.”
The United States says supplies are starting to arrive in Ukraine after months of wrangling in Congress.
Russia said its forces had captured several villages in the east of the country after capturing the town of Avdiivka in February.
Senior Ukrainian commander Oleksander Sîrski said Russian forces had set their goal of capturing the key town of Ceasiv Yar – northeast of Avdiivka – to coincide with Russia’s May 9 celebration of the Soviet victory in the World War II.
Tags: Zelensky speed arms deliveries front Russia major victory
