Zelensky: Ukraine suffers from a shortage of artillery shells and needs air defense systems (Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that his forces are facing a very complex situation at some points on the front, with the impact of delayed Western military aid on the situation on the ground, and criticized the closure of the Polish border by Polish farmers.
Zelensky said, "The situation is extremely difficult in several parts of the front line, as Russian forces have mobilized the maximum amount of reserves. They are taking advantage of the delay in helping Ukraine," adding that his country suffers from a shortage of artillery shells and needs air defense systems on the front line and longer-range weapons.
Russian forces are launching an attack in eastern and southern Ukraine, and have just taken control of the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, achieving their first major gain since taking control of Bakhmut in May 2023.
The Ukrainian army reported on Monday that it was facing "heavy fire" from the attacking Russian forces in the Zaporozhye region in the south of the country.
Polish border
In another context, Zelensky on Monday condemned the closure of the Polish border by truck drivers and farmers, while officials warned that this move threatens the security of Ukraine, which continues to face the Russian war.
Polish farmers close crossing points in front of Ukrainian trucks in protest against what they consider unfair competition.
The dispute has disturbed relations between the two neighboring countries, although Poland has been one of Ukraine's most prominent supporters since the start of the Russian war in Ukraine in February 2022.
The Ukrainian president said, "The things that are happening on the western border, the border with Poland, cannot be considered normal or normal," pointing out that this situation "demonstrates the erosion of solidarity at a daily rate."
Exporting products overland across the Polish border to the European Union constituted a lifeline for Ukrainian companies after Russian forces took control of the main trade routes in the Black Sea.
But the increase in land shipping has angered Polish farmers and logistics companies in Poland, complaining of Ukrainian competition.
On Monday, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that 6 border crossings were closed on the Polish side, and he said in a post on Facebook, “Closing the border constitutes a direct threat to the security of a defending country.”
The situation is expected to worsen today, Tuesday, with Polish farmers calling for a complete halt to transit movement on the border with Ukraine.
Source: Agencies