BFMTV DOCUMENT – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a lengthy interview to our journalists Yves Calvi and Ulysse Gosset, which we will air this Wednesday. A first for a French medium since the beginning of the Russian invasion. He remembers in particular that the war in his country has been bloody for eight years now.
Volodymyr Zelenskyj gave us this extraordinary interview from his presidency in Kyiv, which BFMTV will broadcast in full this Wednesday at 18:50. In particular, the President of Ukraine mentions the Russian offensive in Donbass with our journalists Yves Calvi and Ulysse Gosset.
Russians leave nothing behind
The head of state warned: It is to be feared that the ongoing operations are only the prelude to even greater violence. The Russians have not yet mobilized all their assets, and it could be tactical. Therefore, I cannot confirm today that the large-scale offensive has already started,” he warned.
He portrayed an attacker who preferred to devastate conquered territories than occupy them: “The Russians advance and leave no cities behind. They do not occupy these cities because there is nothing left to occupy. There are no more buildings , More inhabitants.”
As for the bombs used by the enemy troops, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was content to note “several types” without further details. On the other hand, he saw another threat: “We are also considering the use of chemical weapons by Russia.” He named an appointment: We want to be fair and base ourselves on facts. We have to take samples and these are examined by specialists.
“The war started eight years ago”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled that the Russian offensive took place against a background already marked by civil war between Kyiv and separatist “republics”. “The situation in Donbass has been difficult for eight years because the guerrilla ruled there all the time,” he explained.
In addition, the head of state wanted to rehabilitate the entire war in the long term: Regarding the war, you said that the war started on February 24, but I want the world to understand that the war started eight years ago . The large-scale Russian invasion only began on the 24th.
“Life has resumed in Kyiv, but…”
“We counted 15,000 dead in this first part of the war. Today, of course, there are many more victims,” he lamented.
“Life has resumed in Kyiv, but airstrikes continue,” he said.
While authorities are advising residents of the capital not to return, Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised the issue of evacuating civilians in his country in the face of the advance of Russian troops.
Evacuations continue on a voluntary basis. State and local authorities are providing the transportation to evacuate people.
“From the point of view of informing the population, we are trying to insist more on the need for evacuation since the offensive has started,” he added.
Robin Verner Journalist BFMTV