Ukraine has faced another wave of drone attacks from Russia, with 139 drones deployed but only 67 shot down by the Ukrainian Air Force. President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of a significant Russian military build-up, including new divisions and the development of modern warfare technologies.
According to Zelensky, Russia is forming new military units and increasing its army by over 100,000 soldiers. He also accused Vladimir Putin of preparing for war against Ukraine, not for negotiations or peace talks.
The Ukrainian president said that intelligence reports indicate Russia’s cooperation with North Korea will continue to expand, including the deployment of nearly 12,000 troops in support of Russian forces. However, it is unclear what information Zelensky was referring to regarding the build-up of Russian troops.
Zelensky also stated that North Korean soldiers have resumed fighting alongside Russian forces in the western Russian region of Kursk after a “forced break.” Both sides have suffered significant casualties, but the exact number is unknown.
In other news, Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said that the country will not hold parliamentary or presidential elections while under attack from Russia. The elections are currently suspended due to martial law, which allows Zelensky to extend his presidency until normal elections can be held.
The Ukrainian constitution dictates that elections cannot take place during martial law, and international observers would also be unable to enter Ukraine during wartime. Stefanchuk emphasized the importance of holding fair elections for soldiers fighting at the front lines and for millions of Ukrainians living abroad or in Russian-occupied territories.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/drone-strikes-hit-ukraine-zelensky-193922657.html