War would be totally different if Ukraine could fire Western weapons into Russia - Neizhpapa

Ukrainian Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, said this in an interview with Sky News, Ukrinform reports.

"As a military man, I will say the following: the enemy, knowing the battle capabilities of [our] armed forces, reacts accordingly to our actions. Therefore, of course, if we had limitless capabilities, believe me, the war would have played out totally differently. If Ukraine had certain types of long-range weapons which can be used deeper at the enemy territory, of course, the enemy would have behaved differently, including on the battlefield," he said.

According to Neizhpapa, Putin behaves like a small-scale gangster who knows that if he is matched blow for blow, he will not start a fight.

"If he understands that Ukraine can fight back and make him really feel pain, of course, he will give all this up. This is all," he added.

He also noted that Ukraine "will be very happy" to receive two British frigates, HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll, which the Royal Navy is reportedly considering retiring early due to a shortage of sailors.

"Of course, the Navy needs warships, because we understand that there is no navy without ships. This is why, if such a decision is taken, concerning the possibility of handing over two frigates to the [Ukrainian] Navy, we will be very happy," Neizhpapa said.

In December 2023, Britain officially announced the creation of a maritime capability coalition in support of Ukraine.