International

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that Kyiv will continue its drone strikes on Russian territory until Moscow halts its ongoing military offensive in Ukraine. In a defiant message aimed both at the Kremlin and the international community, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has no intention of backing down and will use all available means to defend its sovereignty.

The statement comes amid a sharp escalation in the war, with Russian forces ramping up their assault in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, especially in the Kharkiv region. Over recent weeks, Russia has launched ground incursions and heavy airstrikes on Ukrainian positions, causing significant destruction and casualties. In response, Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone attacks, targeting oil refineries, military bases, and infrastructure deep within Russian territory.

Speaking in his nightly address, President Zelenskyy stated, "Ukrainian drones will continue to target Russia’s war capabilities until the aggression against our people stops. We are not attacking civilians, we are targeting the machinery of war." He emphasized that the drone campaign is not about revenge but about weakening Russia’s ability to sustain its offensive.

Zelenskyy's remarks signal a broader shift in Ukraine’s military strategy. After months of defensive operations, Ukrainian forces appear to be taking a more proactive approach, hitting targets inside Russia to disrupt supply chains and demoralize Russian troops. According to Ukrainian intelligence officials, these drone operations have successfully damaged several fuel depots and airfields used by the Russian military.

While Ukraine has received extensive military aid from Western allies, including the United States and NATO countries, it has often faced limitations on how and where to use those weapons. Most Western-supplied arms are restricted from being used inside Russian territory, due to fears of escalation. As a result, Ukraine has invested heavily in developing its own drone capabilities, crafting long-range unmanned aerial vehicles capable of reaching targets hundreds of kilometers away.

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian soil have increased dramatically since early 2024. Several high-profile strikes have hit oil infrastructure in regions such as Belgorod, Bryansk, and even as far as Tatarstan. Although Russian officials frequently claim to intercept these drones, videos circulating online and satellite imagery suggest some have successfully struck their intended targets.

The Kremlin has denounced the Ukrainian strikes as "acts of terrorism," warning that such actions will provoke harsh retaliation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that any attacks on Russian territory would not go unanswered. In response to Zelenskyy's latest comments, Russian officials accused Ukraine of attempting to "internationalize the conflict" and bring the West directly into confrontation with Moscow.

The humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine continues to deteriorate. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes amid Russia's recent advances. The Kharkiv region has seen particularly intense fighting, with towns near the border facing relentless shelling. Ukrainian military officials have acknowledged the difficulty of holding the line but maintain that reinforcements are being sent and defensive fortifications strengthened.

Zelenskyy also renewed calls for greater international support, particularly the lifting of restrictions on how Ukraine can use Western-supplied weapons. He urged allies to allow Kyiv to strike legitimate military targets inside Russia with foreign equipment, arguing that continued limitations only embolden Moscow.

“The more tools we have, the sooner this war will end,” Zelenskyy said. “We must not give Russia safe zones to regroup and strike from. If we are truly fighting for freedom, then there must be no limits in defending it.”

Zelenskyy’s message underscores a growing sense of urgency in Kyiv. With Russian forces pushing forward and global attention shifting elsewhere, Ukraine is determined to send a clear message: it will fight back as long as the aggression continues, and it will take the war to Russia’s doorstep if necessary.