Zelensky warns Russia plans prolonged drone strikes to exhaust Ukraine

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is planning a prolonged campaign of attacks using Iranian drones to exhaust his country's air defences and energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Photo: EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

"We have information that Russia is planning a prolonged attack using Shahed drones," Zelensky said in a video address late on Monday.

"It is probably counting on exhausting our people, our air defences, our energy sector," he added.

He warned that Ukraine needed to "do everything" so that "this goal of terrorists fails like all the others."

Zelensky also said in his address that more than 80 Iranian-made drones were shot down over Ukraine in the first two days of the new year. 

We have information that #Russia is planning a prolonged "Shahed" attack, its bet may be on attrition - said Zelenskyy in an evening address.

According to him, more than 80 enemy drones were shot down in the skies over #Ukraine in just two days of the new year. pic.twitter.com/RkQxbY5wwN

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 2, 2023

He added he was grateful to his country's pilots, "the pilots of our fighters and warriors of mobile firing groups."

"Now is the time when everyone involved in the protection of the sky should be especially attentive," Zelensky appealed, as quoted by Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.

Tuesday is day 314 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: PAP, Reuters, ukrinform.net