Zelenskyy: No ceasefire without Russia's withdrawal
Ukraine is facing increasing military pressure in its defense against the Russian offensive war. In the event of a victory for Donald Trump, US support is also in question. President Zelenskyy remains undeterred.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed efforts to bring about a swift end to the war. He cannot agree to the demands for a ceasefire as long as Russia continues to occupy Ukrainian territory, he said in an interview with the Japanese broadcaster NHK. This reaffirms the previous stance of his government. For the way to a just peace, he deems three essential prerequisites: "Patience, support (for Ukraine), and diplomatic pressure (on Moscow)."
"If the US and European countries remain united, they will exert additional pressure and show Moscow that it has no chance," he emphasized. Kiev has officially established contact with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the two Republican and Democratic contenders in the US presidential race, in the past few days. The Ukraine is particularly concerned about the loss of previous US support in the fight against Russia if Trump wins. "We have been in contact with his team," Selenskyy said.
The Russian Air Force has intensively targeted the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. According to a statement from the Kiev General Staff, at least six glide bombs hit the small town of Wowtschansk. In addition, Russian combat aircraft attacked Ukrainian positions. There were no reports of casualties.
Reports: Russian troops during assembly attacked
The focus of Russian attacks was reportedly Pokrovsk. During Sunday, 16 attacks were repelled, and more were ongoing. The information could not be independently verified. Reports also came in from the Dnipropetrowsk region of multiple Russian attacks with artillery and combat drones. Several people were injured, the regional military administration reported without further details.
In the sector Liman in the east of the country, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian army positions. At least twelve attacks were registered, the General Staff reported. Zelenskyy described the situation in the Donetsk sector as particularly difficult. "There have been the most Russian attacks in Pokrovsk in recent weeks," he said, and praised the Ukrainian units there. "Who stops these Russian attacks and destroys their combat power fulfills one of the most important tasks in this war."
The Ukrainian military reportedly inflicted heavy losses on Russian troops in Luhansk in the east of the country with a rocket attack using ATACMS rockets. Members of a tank infantry battalion were reportedly hit during a gathering on a training ground, according to Ukrainian media, citing Russian social media and military circles. The unexpected attack, which allegedly took place on Saturday, reportedly killed at least 19 Russian soldiers and wounded 71 more. The information could not be independently verified.
The Ukrainian troops usually only use US-supplied ATACMS rockets against valuable targets. It is possible that the troop concentration at Luhansk was detected by a reconnaissance drone first.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns about potential decrease in US support for Ukraine if Donald Trump wins the election. Despite the Russian Air Force targeting Eastern Ukrainian regions and reported attacks in Pokrovsk and Dnipropetrowsk, President Zelenskyy remains resolute in his efforts to defend Ukraine against Russia's offensive war.
