Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that Russia is massing troops near the town of Dobropilya in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces advanced earlier this year after a successful counteroffensive, Reuters and Ukrinform reported. According to Zelensky, the area around the key town of Pokrovsk remains under heavy pressure, with up to 300 Russian servicemen still in the town itself, BTA reports.
Zelensky told journalists that this year Ukraine will open representative offices for export and joint production of weapons in two European capitals - Berlin and Copenhagen. He specified that among the weapons that Kiev could export are naval drones and artillery systems. By the end of the year, the country will also begin producing its own "Flamingo" and "Ruta" missiles, the president added.
Regarding energy, Zelensky said that Ukraine still needs $750 million to ensure natural gas imports for the upcoming winter.
The government in Kiev plans to increase imports of natural gas by about 30% after Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks, targeting mainly gas facilities.