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Russia is deliberately striking Ukrainian agricultural enterprises, bread production facilities, and port infrastructure in an attempt to create new threats to global food security. At the same time, Moscow is expanding military cooperation with North Korea and helping Iran obtain intelligence data. This was stated by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his traditional address, UATV English reports.
The Ukrainian president began his traditional address with words of gratitude to Ukrainian troops and intelligence for successful long-range operations.
“There were new strikes on Russian oil facilities in various regions, including Tyumen. The distance from there to Ukraine is 2,000 km. Ukrainian drones are reaching their targets — these were the upgraded FP, Fire Point drones. The operation against Russian military production facilities — those working to enable strikes against Ukraine — continues. Our operation against Russian logistics also continues. Its results are very tangible. Everything in Russia that works for the war, which should have ended long ago, must feel the consequences of Putin’s refusal to end the war,” the head of state said.
According to Zelenskyy, he discussed the situation at the front today with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi.
“Especially in Donetsk region, as well as our long-range operations and mid-range strikes. We’re continuing this pressure: I’ve scheduled a meeting with the commander-in-chief and Defense Minister Khmara on this matter,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The president stressed that Ukraine will respond to Russian strikes on ports and agricultural infrastructure. According to him, Moscow is deliberately trying to provoke a new global food crisis.
“Every day we receive reports from Sumy region and other regions of Ukraine about the consequences of Russian strikes on ordinary agricultural enterprises and bread production facilities. This is a deliberate Russian tactic — delivering underhanded strikes. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry must inform all partners and representatives of international organizations about the consequences of Russia’s tactic of terror against ports and the agricultural sector. This already happened in 2022, when Russian aggression put food security at risk in various parts of the world. Now, due to Russia’s blockade of grain exports from the Black Sea region, a new serious blow to the cost of living is possible in countries such as Egypt, Libya, and many others dependent on grain imports. We’re preparing to counter this and will coordinate as closely as possible with all good-faith partners who can help protect normal life from Russia,” the head of state stated.
Separately, Zelenskyy reported that Russia is preparing to expand mobilization and continues to replenish heavy losses at the front.
“We have solid intelligence reports on Russia’s plans for the fall. What’s absent from these plans is peace. Putin is preparing the conditions for expanding mobilization. In the not-quite-seven months of this year, 221,000 people have joined the ranks of Russia’s armed forces, while Russian losses over the same period amounted to nearly 225,500, of which 131,000 were killed and nearly 93,000 wounded. Putin is preparing to simply take more Russians for the war. He’s disguising this with other words, other signals, but that’s exactly what he’s preparing for,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The president stressed that pressure on Russia needs to be increased.
“It’s important that, together with our partners, we’re able to press Russia hard enough that thoughts of ending this aggression become dominant — thoughts of peace, not of additional Russian mobilization. Our long-range operations and our mid-range strikes are contributing to this. More and more Russians are noticing Putin’s war, suffering losses because of it, and understanding that it shouldn’t be dragged out. We see this,” he noted.
Zelenskyy also stated that Moscow is deepening military cooperation with Pyongyang.
“We see Russia’s cooperation with North Korea. Russia wants to obtain another 30,000 troops from North Korea: preparations to receive them in Voronezh region have been underway since June. North Korea is also preparing to hand over new ballistic missile launchers to Russia. This is a threat not just to Ukraine. Russia is helping North Korea learn how to wage war, is improving its weapons, and is giving it real combat experience. All of this is a threat to everyone in Asia within range of North Korean missiles. We will counter this,” the head of state reported.
In addition, the president said Ukrainian intelligence has data on Russia helping the Iranian regime.
“Since the beginning of July, we’ve been recording active Russian satellite imaging of Gulf states’ territory and the American military facilities located there. These images subsequently end up in Iran’s hands. At the same time, there is a clear correlation between Russian imaging of facilities and strikes by Iranian forces — both before the attacks and afterward, to assess the damage inflicted. On July 19 and 20 alone, four air bases fell within the area of interest of Russian satellites: two in Bahrain and one each in Jordan and Kuwait. It’s clear why,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
In closing, the president stressed that the global community must not ignore the threats posed by Russia.
“The war must be stopped. Pressure on the aggressor must work. Air defense missiles, above all for Patriots, can save thousands upon thousands of lives. Every partner capable of helping must understand that behind every decision and every pause in deliveries are human lives. And once we’re able to produce PAC-3 missiles in Ukraine, we’ll help those missiles reach others in the world who need protection too. Everyone currently helping Russia drag out this war must also answer for all the global consequences of this war. We need to act and overcome Russian resistance,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded.
