Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that his forces had recaptured territory in multiple offensives, marking the strongest battlefield position in months.
In a video address, Zelensky revealed details of previously undisclosed operations, including Operation Veles near Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine, where troops used underground gas pipelines to outflank Russian positions. He also cited an air assault in the east and Operation Vivaldi further north, which cleared 75 square kilometers of Russian-infiltrated territory and reclaimed an additional 10 square kilometers, according to senior commanders .
Zelensky linked these gains to urgent Western support, stating that Ukraine’s position would be “completely different—significantly better, including diplomatically” if allies sustained deliveries of Patriot air defense systems and other interceptors. He noted that Ukraine lacks sufficient Patriot missiles to counter over 100 Russian ballistic missiles fired at Kyiv and its region in October alone .
The president emphasized that delays in Western air defense deliveries hinder Ukraine’s ability to protect energy infrastructure and logistics. “We are doing everything possible to defend our energy sector, infrastructure, and logistics. It is an extremely difficult task,” he said .
Zelensky also confirmed ongoing coordination with Western partners, including discussions with the Norwegian prime minister and Finnish president following their call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He reiterated that Ukraine’s diplomatic stance would strengthen with sustained military support .
