Dear Ukrainians!
First of all today, I want to thank our service members, our intelligence services, and the Security Service of Ukraine for their precision. There were new strikes on Russian oil facilities in several regions, including Tyumen – 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine. Ukrainian drones are reaching their targets – these particular drones were the upgraded FP, Fire Point, models. Our operation against Russia's military production facilities – those working to sustain strikes against Ukraine – is ongoing. Our operation against Russian logistics is ongoing as well. Its impact is very tangible. Everything in Russia that serves this war, which should have been brought to an end long ago, must feel it – must feel the consequences of Putin's refusal to end the war.
Today, I spoke with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Drapatyi about the current situation on the front, especially in the Donetsk region, as well as our long-range operations and mid-range strikes. We are keeping up this pressure: I have scheduled a meeting with the Commander-in-Chief and Defense Minister Khmara to discuss this.
Of course, we will respond to the strikes on our ports and agricultural facilities as well. Every day, we receive reports from our Sumy region and other regions of Ukraine on the consequences of Russian strikes against ordinary agricultural enterprises and bread production facilities. This is Russia’s deliberate tactic of carrying out callous strikes. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to inform all our partners and representatives of international organizations about the consequences of Russia’s campaign of terror against our ports and agricultural sector. We have seen this before, in 2022, when Russia’s aggression put food security in many parts of the world at risk – in the Middle East, North Africa, and many other regions of the world. Now, because of Russia’s blockade of grain exports from the Black Sea region, the cost of living may once again come under pressure – serious pressure – in countries such as Egypt, Libya, and many others that depend on imports of grain and grain products. We are preparing to counter this, and we will coordinate as closely as possible with all our responsible partners who can help protect normal life from Russia.
We also have comprehensive intelligence reports on Russia’s plans for the fall. What is not in Russia’s plans is peace. Unfortunately, not yet. Putin is preparing the conditions for expanding mobilization. His casualty figures speak for themselves. In less than seven months this year, 221,000 people have joined the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces. During the same period, Russian casualties have amounted to nearly 225,500, among them 131,000 killed and almost 93,000 wounded. A significant share of those wounds are severe, as frontline medical care in Russia is catastrophically poor. Putin is preparing to simply send more Russians to war. He disguises it with different words and signals, but that is what he is preparing to do. It is crucial that, together with our partners, we exert enough pressure on Russia so that the idea of ending this aggression becomes the dominant one – the idea of peace, not of another Russian mobilization. Our long-range operations and our mid-range strikes are helping with this. More and more Russians are noticing Putin’s war, taking losses because of it, and thinking that this war should not be dragged out. We see this.
We also see Russia’s cooperation with North Korea. Russia wants to receive another 30,000 troops from North Korea. Since June, preparations have been underway in Russia’s Voronezh region to receive them. North Korea is also preparing to transfer additional launchers for ballistic missiles to Russia. This is a threat not only to Ukraine. Russia is helping North Korea learn how to wage war, improve its weapons, and gain real combat experience in using them. All of this is a threat to everyone in Asia who is within range of North Korean missiles. We will counter this.
I will also instruct our intelligence to share with our partners the information we have regarding Russia’s new assistance to the Iranian regime. Since the beginning of July, we have recorded active Russian satellite surveillance of the Gulf states and U.S. military facilities located there. These images subsequently appear in Iran. At the same time, there is a clear correlation between Russia’s satellite imagery of these sites and Iranian strikes – both before the attacks, in preparation for them, and afterward, to assess the damage inflicted. On July 19 and 20 alone, four air bases fell within the area of interest of Russian satellites – two in Bahrain, one in Jordan, and one in Kuwait. The purpose is clear. None of us in the world should turn a blind eye to one very simple fact: evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further. Russia must be stopped. This war must be stopped. Pressure on the aggressor must work. Air defense missiles, first and foremost for Patriots, can save thousands and thousands of lives. Every partner who can help must know that behind every decision, behind every pause in deliveries, are people’s lives. And when we are able to produce PAC-3 missiles in Ukraine, we will help those in the world who need protection with these missiles as well. And everyone who is helping Russia prolong this war right now must also be held accountable for all the global consequences of this war. We need to act – and overcome Russia’s obstruction. I thank everyone who is helping us! I thank everyone who stands with us, with Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!