Russia is stockpiling missiles for attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure in the winter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.
“I think they are stockpiling (missiles), but they don’t have many more missiles than before. Otherwise they would have already started the bombing,” he told a small group of media, including AFP.
Ukraine expects a new campaign of Russian attacks on its energy grid, as was the case last winter, when freezing temperatures left millions of Ukrainians without heat or electricity.
“I think we are better prepared for winter than before,” Mr. Zelensky said. “But I don’t think Russia will use fewer weapons,” he said. “Winter will be difficult.”
“In terms of air defense, we are better positioned than last winter,” said Zelensky. According to him, the Ukrainian army manages to shoot down “75-80%” of Iranian-made explosive drones that Russia often uses against its neighbor, especially in its night attacks.