Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russian-Ukrainian war has entered a new phase, in which the struggle for air superiority is becoming a decisive factor. The President emphasised that long-range strikes against Russia are already changing the course of the war.
- Zelenskyy announced a new phase of the war: the battle for the skies.
- The shortage of air defence systems remains a critical problem.
- Long-range strikes against Russia are changing the situation on the front line.
- Ukraine is attacking military infrastructure in occupied Crimea.
- Putin must feel the consequences of the war on his own territory.
The war is entering a new phase
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview Financial Times stressed that the Russian-Ukrainian war has entered a new phase, in which the struggle for air superiority is becoming a decisive factor. The President noted that the front line has largely stabilised, and that the future course of the war will be determined by technology, long-range strikes and the effectiveness of air defence.
«Today, the battle is being fought in the skies. This marks a shift in the priorities of this war. We are moving into the skies. In the skies, reason will prevail,» Zelenskyy emphasised.
Problems with air defence
Zelenskyy pointed out that defence against ballistic missiles remains the greatest weakness in Ukraine’s defence system. He explained that, following the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine did not acquire the relevant technology and did not have its own programmes to develop missile defence systems. The President called on international partners to speed up the supply of modern air defence systems.
Long-range strikes are changing the course of the war
Zelenskyy paid particular attention to Ukrainian operations involving the use of long-range weapons. According to him, strikes on military bases, air defence systems, airfields, ammunition depots, ports and fuel and energy infrastructure in Russia and the temporarily occupied Crimea are already having a significant impact on the enemy’s capabilities. The President noted that Ukrainian forces have effectively managed to bring certain areas of the airspace over Crimea under operational control.
«Putin must feel the impact of the war,» Zelenskyy stressed, emphasising that regular strikes on military infrastructure within Russia are changing the attitude of the Russian elite and business community towards the war.
Support for partners remains crucial
Zelenskyy also emphasised the importance of the resilience of the Ukrainian armed forces, funding from its allies and the development of its own defence industry. He emphasised that every kilometre of advance by Russian troops must come at an extremely high cost to the occupiers, and that Ukraine must continue to build on its technological advantage.
Why it matters
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statements point to a shift in Ukraine’s military strategy: the focus is increasingly moving away from manoeuvre warfare towards wearing down the enemy through control of airspace, the development of unmanned technologies, long-range strikes and modern air defence. It is these factors, in the President’s view, that will determine the course of the war in the coming months.
