Zelensky: Air defense systems concentrated around Moscow for parade open opportunities for our long-range sanctions

In recent weeks, additional layers of air defense have been deployed around Moscow by relocating systems from other Russian regions, creating new opportunities for Ukraine's long-range sanctions.

According to Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this on Telegram following a briefing from the head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko.

"We see that in recent weeks, additional rings of air defense have been built up around Moscow at the expense of a large-scale redeployment of systems from Russia's regions. This indicates that the Russian leadership is not preparing for the ceasefire that has been the subject of so many statements, and is more concerned about its parade in Moscow than about the rest of Russia. At the same time, we observe that this creates additional opportunities for our long-range sanctions. We will define our corresponding priorities," Zelensky said.

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He stressed that Ukraine has repeatedly proposed that Russia move to real diplomacy and ensure a ceasefire to build trust in the diplomatic process and create conditions for achieving results.

"Ukraine's proposals are on the table, and I am grateful to Ukraine's partners for supporting our diplomacy and readiness to act in kind. Russia must take steps to end its war and to achieve a real peace. We need peace," he added.

Ivashchenko also reported on Russia's plans to use temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

"In the southern Ukrainian lands currently under occupation, Russia intends to carry out essentially the same processes of plunder and deindustrialization that it implemented in the occupied parts of the Donbas. Geological exploration is planned, followed by rapid extraction and export of valuable raw materials from at least 18 deposits – including titanium, lithium, tantalum, niobium, zircon, molybdenum, and graphite. The occupiers are also developing further measures to seize and export this year's grain harvest. We are preparing to counter this," Zelensky said.

He added that there is updated information regarding Russia's internal assessment of losses caused by Ukraine's long-range sanctions.

"The scale of direct losses and the consequences of slowing production and export processes in Russia are increasing, with particularly negative effects on regional budgets. The de facto bankruptcy of a substantial portion of Russia's regional budgets cannot be concealed," he noted.

As previously reported, Zelensky said Ukraine has not received official signals from Russia about a ceasefire, despite statements on social media. Nevertheless, Kyiv declared a ceasefire regime from May 6 and called on Moscow to move from rhetoric to real actions.

Earlier today, the President stated that as of 10:00 a.m., the Russian army had committed 1,820 violations of the ceasefire — including shelling, assault attempts, airstrikes, and drone use — effectively breaking the ceasefire.

Photo: Office of the President