In a revealing interview with PBS NewsHour, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has painted a grim picture of the military imbalance facing Ukraine in its war with Russia. Citing startling disparities in artillery and aircraft, the president underscored the challenges Ukraine must overcome to stand its ground against Russian aggression.
In an interview with PBS NewsHour published on April 16, President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the significant disparity in military capabilities between Russia and Ukraine. He pointed out that Russia is currently firing shells at a ratio of approximately 10:1 compared to Ukraine, exacerbating the ammunition shortage that Ukraine is facing. Furthermore, Zelensky emphasized that Russia possesses a staggering 30 times more aircraft than Ukraine. These alarming discrepancies underscore the urgent need for Ukraine to acquire an adequate supply of shells and missiles to address its military challenges.
Zelensky emphasizes the urgency for Kyiv to match Russia’s shell count, aiming for a 10:10 ratio, in order to ensure the complete protection of Ukraine’s currently controlled territory.
These disparities have had tangible and devastating consequences, as illustrated by the destruction of the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant in the Kyiv region. The assault, which resulted in the plant’s complete annihilation, came after Ukraine exhausted its air defense missile supply. Zelensky revealed the dire situation, saying, “The first seven [missiles], we took down. Four destroyed Trypillia. Why? Because we had zero missiles. We ran out of all missiles.”
This desperate need for military aid was placed in the context of the broader war effort, with Zelensky reiterating that without assistance from allies, particularly the U.S., Ukraine “will have no chance of winning.” He further criticized the hesitation of NATO countries to provide more robust support, drawing a parallel with Israel, which benefits from the defense assistance of NATO allies despite not being a member.
The interview highlighted the significant role of international support in Ukraine’s defense capabilities. With delays in U.S. military aid affecting the battlefield, Zelensky stressed the urgency of the situation, indicating that “Ukraine will lose the war” if aid does not materialize swiftly from the U.S. Congress.
With the escalation of Moscow’s assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the spring, the lack of air defense systems in Ukrainian urban areas and rural communities is becoming increasingly apparent.
Relevant articles:
– Zelensky: Russia fires 10 times more shells, uses 300 aircraft in Ukraine only
– Day 783: Ukraine needs U.S. aid to win the war, Zelenskyi says, Ukraine Crisis Media Center, Tue, 16 Apr 2024 21:51:07 GMT
– Ukraine war latest: Russia destroyed Kyiv Oblast power plant after Ukraine ran out of air defense missiles, Zelensky says, Kyiv Independent, Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:09:03 GMT