Zelenskyy on Russia's mass attacks: 'Enemy can be fought with technology'
Due to the shortage of weapons in the world, Ukraine is interested in joint production with its allies. We can fight Russia with technology, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with Lithuanian leader Gitanas Nausėda.
Joint production of weapons
According to the President, there will be many bilateral agreements on joint arms production between the allies and Ukraine. Today, both ministers and other companies are working on this.
"We realize that there is a global shortage of weapons. There are not enough weapons for us, there are not enough weapons for the whole world. There are empty warehouses and many challenges for the defense of many countries. That is why we are interested in co-production. We started this work with partners in the United States with many companies. We also continued this work with European partners," Zelenskyy says.
The President adds that Ukraine will continue to work on signing agreements and contracts with its allies in order not to wait for the global deficit to close on its own.
Modern air defense systems
Shortly, Ukraine and its allies will not be able to produce modern air defense systems, and this is sorely lacking.
He recalls that in late December and early January, Russia once again resorted to terrorist attacks against Ukraine, attacking civilians, schools, kindergartens, and other infrastructure in the country.
"In total, there were 500 missile and drone strikes. We managed to repel 70% of all these strikes on average. Unfortunately, we lost people. That's why we can fight this enemy with technology before we push them out of our land and before the war is over. That is why air defense systems are the No. 1 thing we need," the President says.
Drone production
Zelenskyy also emphasizes the importance of increasing the production of domestic UAVs.
"The fight against drones. I am glad that we have agreements with Lithuania and with many other partners as well. We produce our drones. I won't talk about the number now. But we are increasing domestic production. This is what today's time and security for our civilians require," the President explains.
Weapons production in Ukraine
As Zelenskyy noted earlier, Ukraine must become so strong and effective that Russia knows that there will be a response to every attack. To do this, it is necessary to increase the production of domestic weapons.
Ukraine already produces long-range weapons. For example, experts have managed to develop a new version of the long-range Neptune missile. In particular, it has recently become known that mass production of drones, which are a kind of analog to Iranian Shaheds, has begun.
According to the Minister of Strategic Industry Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine has significantly increased the production of ammunition. For example, mines 42 times, artillery shells almost 3 times