Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited the reasons for the advance of Russian forces on the front line, including the lack of sufficient equipment sent by the allies to equip 14 Ukrainian brigades, the disregard for the lives of soldiers in the Russian army, as well and the absence of permission for Ukraine to destroy military targets on the territory of Russia with Western weapons.
Zelensky said this in an interview with French media, quoted by the Ukrinform agency, BTA reports.
"There are several reasons for the advance of the Russians at the front. If we remove them, we will be able to stop them. We no longer hide that we are preparing 14 brigades that we want to equip with military equipment. These are brigades that are supposed to defend our territory and should serve as a reserve, allowing other soldiers to rest on a rotational basis, and these brigades to be able to replace them. When the respective batches of weapons are ready, we will equip these 14 brigades. In your opinion, if only three out of a total of 14 brigades are equipped, will we be able to stop (the Russian offensive)?" asked the Ukrainian leader.
According to him, when packages of European and American military aid were recently discussed, they mainly related to supplying the 14 brigades with weapons.
"Honestly, at least 10. Because guys who are on the battlefield need rotation. They need rest. And how can we carry out the rotation if the brigades that are supposed to replace them are not armed", he said.
The second reason, Zelensky added, is that the advancing Russians are afraid to retreat. "They kill them there if they come back, and that's the truth," he said, adding that Putin doesn't care about his people, "doesn't count them".
"Of course, when you have such a difference in approach to freedom and human rights with your enemy, you must have another advantage. And the other advantage is, first of all, weapons and technology," Zelensky said, quoted by Ukrinform.
As a third reason for Russian progress, he pointed to the impossibility of using Western weapons to destroy military facilities on enemy territory.
"What would you do if you knew that 30, 60, or 100 kilometers from the border the Russians had missile systems for salvo fire, planes bombing us, or other weapons, including the "Grad" and S-300 that they use from Belgorod, knowing that we have no right to destroy their weapons? We are at a loss as to what to do," Zelensky said.