Zelensky Satisfied with Strikes on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he is "absolutely satisfied" with the results of a 40-day operation aimed at weakening Russian military logistics, with losses estimated at one trillion rubles, or about $12.2 billion. In an extensive interview with a Ukrainian television program, he hinted that attacks on Russia's rear would continue, telling Moscow that Kyiv "understands all their weak points."

Operation targeting Russian logistics and the perception of war

At the end of June, Zelensky tasked the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) with launching the operation, which concluded in early August. On August 4, the SBU announced that its goal was "to simultaneously weaken key elements of the Russian military machine," which included disabling dozens of Russian tankers supplying occupied Crimea and destroying numerous warehouses of the online retailer Wildberries across Russia.

"After they started attacking our logistics, we found a new logistics operation and responded to them. The losses are enormous, one trillion rubles, about $12.2 billion. It was a very successful operation by Ukrainian forces," Zelensky said. According to him, the Armed Forces, Special Operations Forces, Intelligence Service, Security Service, and Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine jointly participated in the operation.

Although the operation did not end the war, Ukrainian officials familiar with the planning previously said that one of the longer-term political goals was to make the Russian population feel the consequences of the conflict more directly, especially ahead of the September elections in Russia. Zelensky confirmed this himself: "It is clear that people in Russia will feel it if goods do not reach ordinary consumers due to logistics problems."

Warning to Moscow and acknowledgment of Russian weaknesses

The Ukrainian president did not hide that Kyiv will continue strikes on Russia's rear. "They have long allowed themselves attacks on non-military targets, and they must know that Ukraine attacks military targets. But if they continue, we understand all their weak points. Since the beginning of Russian aggression, we have not had a normal life or such habits. Russia does not feel this," he asserted.

He also added a direct warning: "I would not advise Russia to continue attacking Ukrainian logistics because we have studied very well what Russian logistics looks like." As an example of the vulnerability of Russia's defense strategy, Zelensky noted that the Russians "have concentrated three rings of air defense around Moscow," which required pulling systems from other parts of the country. "But regardless of the amount of air defense, ammunition runs out anyway, and we will continue to find technologies to respond to them," he said.

Russian response: missile attack on Kyiv with four dead

While Ukraine destroys Russian logistics, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities, which face a shortage of air defense capabilities. In a new nighttime attack on Kyiv on August 8, four people were killed, including a three-year-old child, and eight were injured, according to Zelensky and local officials.

North Korean threat and appeal to South Korea

During the interview, Zelensky also expressed concern about the growing presence of North Korea on Russian territory. "First we talked about hundreds, then thousands, and now a decision has been made to deploy 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans on Russian territory. They are studying this war," he said, warning that the experience gained there could lead to escalation in the Pacific region.

He also confirmed that North Korean missiles have already been found on Ukrainian territory, calling it an "established fact." Therefore, he called on the Republic of Korea to cooperate more closely with Kyiv. "We would very much like to receive support from South Korea in the area where we have a shortage, and that is air defense systems. We are ready to work on agreements on drones and other areas as well," he stated, adding that diplomats from the two countries are in contact.

Putin in search of victory and covert mobilization

Zelensky also analyzed the moves of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he claims "still cannot find victory in this war." "He is thinking about mobilization. How to deceive his own people. How to carry out mass mobilization without actually announcing it. How to introduce some kind of shadow contract, close the borders. We see it. We already notice many such moves," he said.

He assessed that Putin "needs to sell a victory," but that he will not achieve it in Ukraine. "He wants to take Donbas. We will not retreat on our own. No one will leave their country and their people and simply go away. Because no one can guarantee that this man will not go further," the Ukrainian president concluded.