Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the situation at the front, particularly in the Sumy region, was thoroughly discussed at the recent meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff. Zelensky emphasized the resilience of Ukrainian units defending the border territories and countering aggression from Russia.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Defense of Sumy and New Enemy Plans
The head of state focused on the difficult situation in Sumy, highlighting that Russian troops had various plans for the region, which he described as “absolutely insane.” According to the president, Ukrainian forces are effectively holding back and destroying the invaders, ensuring the safety of the region.
“Special attention is on Sumy, actions in the border area. I am grateful to our units for their resilience. The Russians had various plans and intentions there – absolutely insane, as always. We are holding back and destroying these killers, protecting our Sumy,” the president said in his evening address on June 20. He did not provide further details.
Strengthening Support and Arms Production
Zelensky also noted that this year Ukraine will receive a record amount of external military support. The president instructed the government to intensify cooperation with partners to invest in domestic arms production, especially in the field of cutting-edge technologies, drones, and artillery shells. Work is underway to produce interceptor drones to enhance protection against “Shaheds,” and the volume of such drones is already increasing.
The president emphasized that the Kremlin openly states its unwillingness to cease fire. He noted that Russia continues to threaten Ukraine, believing that the pressure from the international community is not painful enough for the regime in Moscow. Zelensky is convinced that the Russian economy is already degrading, and further pressure will only intensify this process. He drew parallels with the Iranian regime, highlighting the consequences of isolationist and dictatorial policies.
At the same time, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in an interview with British television channel Sky News that Russia has no intention of concluding a truce with Ukraine, justifying this by the so-called “strategic advantage” in the war. According to him, Russia does not plan to lose this advantage and will continue its offensive.
Vladimir Putin, at the economic forum in St. Petersburg, commented on the possibility of capturing Sumy, although he noted that there is no such task at the moment; however, he does not rule out such a probability in the future. Putin also stated that Russia does not demand Ukraine’s capitulation but insists on “recognizing the realities on the ground.”
Analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have repeatedly emphasized that the Kremlin’s demands are essentially equivalent to Ukraine’s complete capitulation. ISW predicts that Russia will continue to exert pressure as long as Putin believes in the possibility of a military victory. According to experts, further strengthening of support for Ukraine from the West, particularly from the U.S., is necessary to change the situation.