Countering Shahed strikes and Ukraine's deep strikes: Zelensky holds Staff meeting

President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, where a number of issues were discussed, namely countering Russian Shahed drone attacks, Ukraine's deep strikes, and Ukraine's Drone Line. 

Zelensky stated this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

"I held a Staff meeting. The focus was on all drone-related issues, including countering Russian Shahed drone strikes, our Drone Line, and deep strikes," he emphasized.

Zelensky said that there is currently information indicating that the Russians are trying to bypass Ukrainian interceptor defense positions via the territory of neighboring Belarus.

"Risky for Belarus. We saw steps involving Oreshnik, and we now see assistance with Shahed drones. Regrettably, Belarus is surrendering its sovereignty to Russia's aggressive ambitions," he wrote.

Citing Ukrainian intelligence data, he said that equipment used in strikes against Ukraine is being deployed in Belarusian settlements near the border, including on residential buildings. "Antennas and other equipment helping to guide Shahed drones toward targets in our western regions are literally put on the roofs of ordinary five-story apartment blocks. This is an absolute disregard for human life, and Minsk must stop playing these games. We will inform our partners and prepare joint responses," he assured.

Zelensky noted that the Staff meeting also discussed in detail the issue of financing the production of interceptors and the supply structure to the troops. "There is criticism coming directly from units regarding the distribution of drones. I instructed the First Deputy Prime Minister, together with the Minister of Defense and Unmanned Systems Forces command, to modernize the drone distribution system so that more units can be supplied with the necessary number of drones," he said.

In addition, ahead of the next Staff meeting, the head of state instructed the General Staff together with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine to work out changes to Ukraine's air defense strategy and present what additional steps are needed to give Ukrainian units more capabilities both in protecting infrastructure and in defending frontline positions.

As Ukrinform previously reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree introducing Yevhen Ostrianskyi, First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, into the personal composition of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.