President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on media reports that Ukraine had been given permission to strike deep into Russia with long-range missiles provided by the West.
"Today was one of the largest and most dangerous Russian strikes in the entire war. 210 drones and missiles at once, including hypersonic and aerial ballistic missiles. Fortunately, most of the targets were shot down. Russia targeted energy and critical infrastructure. And this is the answer to all those who wanted to achieve something with Putin through conversations, phone calls, hugs - appeasement. Today, this "dove of peace" has sent us another "dagger" and "calibre". This is the kind of diplomacy he uses. Its language is meanness. Russia has been doing the same thing for almost a thousand days. And we need to defend ourselves against it. We need to be strong. We need to invest time not in talking to someone in Moscow, but in really forcing Russia to end the war," Zelenskyy said in his evening address.
The President thanked the air defence, air force and mobile fire groups.
"Today marked one of the largest and most dangerous Russian attacks in the entire war. Two hundred and ten drones and missiles launched simultaneously – including hypersonic and aeroballistic ones. Fortunately, most of the targets were intercepted. Russia aimed for energy and critical infrastructure. And this is the answer to all those who wanted to achieve something with Putin through conversations, phone calls, hugs – appeasement. Today, this ‘dove of peace’ sent us yet another barrage of Kinzhal and Kalibr missiles. That’s his diplomacy. His language is treachery. For nearly a thousand days now, Russia has been doing the same thing. And we must defend ourselves against it. We need to be strong. Time should be invested not in talking to someone in Moscow, but in really forcing Russia to end the war," Zelenskyy stressed.
He added that the response to the occupiers would be forthcoming.
"We will definitely respond to the occupier. And we must withstand the pressure now. Any pressure. Any strikes. So that next year, we can achieve our goal. So that we achieve peace," the President said.
Zelenskyy noted that one of the key points of the Victory Plan, which he presented to the allies, was the long-range capabilities of Ukrainian army.
"Today, there’s a lot of talk in the media about us receiving permission for respective actions. But strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. Missiles will speak for themselves. They certainly will," the president added.
- According to various media reports, US President Joe Biden has allegedly permitted Ukraine to strike Russian territory with US long-range missiles.
- On 19 September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for Ukraine to be allowed to strike deep into Russia with Western weapons.
- Later, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, and the ministers concluded that each EU state would decide for itself whether to allow Ukraine to use its weapons deep into Russian territory.
- So far, Ukraine has been using domestically produced drones to hit military targets in Russia. For example, in early May, a Ukrainian drone struck an oil refinery in Bashkortostan, Russia. It was a Security Service drone that set a record by covering a distance of 1,500 kilometres.