“We understand that many challenges lie ahead, and we must prepare,” Zelenskyy told reporters.
“We very much count on our partners so we can face this winter side by side, not on our own.”
The president warned that Russia has not yet unleashed its full drone capacity. He said Russian forces could launch more than 500 Shahed drones a day, noting the threat that looms over Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
He reiterated that Ukraine faces a shortage of natural gas this winter, after Russia damaged or destroyed many Ukrainian gas extraction and storage facilities. Zelenskyy said the government will spend around $2 billion to import the fuel this winter. Officials are already working to secure the necessary funding, he added.
On Nov. 6, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 128 UAVs,
including about 80 Shaheds. That same day, DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private
energy company, reported significant damage to a power facility in Odesa Oblast,
warning that repairs would take time.