Since the beginning of the war, Russia has used 28,743 "Shaheda" against Ukraine, and in June the Russians fired 2,736 "Shaheda".
This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky in an address to the Senate and House of Representatives of the Netherlands, which he published on Telegram, "Ukrinform" reports.
"Russia would never have been able to do this if it weren't for its ties with the regime in Iran. We in Ukraine would never have been able to shoot down most of these drones without the support of our partners," Zelensky stressed.
According to him, in order to end the war and build a truly lasting peace, it is necessary to act in two main directions: isolating Russia and ensuring stability in Ukraine's defense support.
"First, maximum isolation of Russia. This means political isolation, sanctions of any kind and the cessation of any cooperation that helps them survive and continue to fight. Any scheme that allows them to continue must be blocked. We need a strong 18th package of EU sanctions. We need tough, painful sanctions on Russian oil. Any reduction in Russia's oil revenues helps bring peace closer. But what will really hurt them and really limit their ability to wage war is a ceiling of $30 per barrel. The world must reach this level," Zelensky urged.
He added that this is necessary not only to stop Russia's war against Ukraine, but also to prevent any future military operations that Russia may undertake against Europe and the Alliance.
"Military plans must become prohibitively expensive for Russia. We must really block their tanker fleet and cut them off from international banking. That is what works," the president said.
The second step towards ending the war, according to Zelensky, must be stability in defense support for Ukraine.
"Russia must see that Ukraine will not be left alone and that Europe will not back down. And it is extremely important to support the need to increase defense spending in other European countries. "Russia is stronger than each of us individually, but weaker than all of us together," the head of state stressed.
He noted that if Russia sees that the united power of Europe leaves it no chance for aggression, there will be no aggression.
"If Russia feels that we are responding harshly and painfully, then peace will become the most popular topic in Moscow. And we will achieve this together," Zelensky said.
In an interview with Sky News, Zelensky said that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO country within five years "to test the Alliance."