Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned Russia that his country will launch up to 1,000 drones daily against Russian territory, according to a late evening video message released in Kyiv. The president emphasized that the current average of over 300 long-range drone strikes per day must increase significantly. He called for maximizing the use of weapons to defend against Russian attacks, stressing that the goal is to escalate pressure on Moscow through intensified aerial assaults targeting oil refineries, logistics hubs, and military installations within Russia. Zelenskyy claimed these strikes have already raised the costs of Russia’s war effort, noting that while Russian leader Vladimir Putin acknowledged economic damage, he downplayed its significance. In response, Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv would counter Moscow's “escalation of terror” with increased offensive operations. He also urged acceleration in producing anti-drone missiles specifically designed to intercept Russian drones, reinforcing the Ukrainian strategy of using advanced weaponry to neutralize Russian capabilities. In addition to drone strikes, Zelenskyy highlighted efforts to disrupt Russian supply lines, particularly in the Black Sea region. He noted that the port city of Novorossiysk, crucial for Russia’s naval fleet, had been crippled by Ukrainian attacks. Zelenskyy expressed confidence that further measures would target other Russian ports, countering Moscow’s ongoing attacks on key Ukrainian ports such as Odessa, which have severely limited maritime traffic. He argued that continued disruption of Russian logistics would weaken its war potential unless Moscow agrees to negotiate a peaceful resolution. Zelenskyy also thanked the United States for information shared during a recent visit by U.S. intelligence chief John Ratcliffe to Moscow. While he did not provide specific details, he praised the tone of discussions between U.S. officials and Russian authorities. This exchange followed prior coordination between Kyiv and Washington, underscoring the close military and strategic cooperation between the two nations amid escalating tensions. Separately, reports indicate that John Ratcliffe, the head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), met with Russian intelligence officials in Moscow under undisclosed circumstances. According to U.S. media, Ratcliffe warned Russian leaders about the possibility of a “limited attack” on NATO members, citing assessments that suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin might consider such action in the coming years. These warnings were reportedly based on intelligence evaluations regarding potential escalations in the broader geopolitical landscape. The Russian government has responded to these claims by dismissing them as alarmist. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the notion that Russia was preparing to strike NATO, calling such reports “without basis in reality.” He accused Western media of fabricating stories to exaggerate threats, emphasizing instead that Russia faces aggressive posturing from European countries. Despite this, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that Ratcliffe engaged in routine diplomatic talks with Russian intelligence officials, though no official meetings with Putin took place. Russian intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin confirmed the meeting with Ratcliffe, describing it as part of regular intelligence exchanges with foreign counterparts. He described the interaction as standard procedure, noting that similar contacts occur frequently with intelligence chiefs from other nations, either in person or via virtual means. However, no details were disclosed about the content of their discussion, leaving many questions unanswered. As the conflict continues to evolve, both sides remain locked in a high-stakes struggle for dominance. With Ukraine intensifying its drone campaigns and the U.S. maintaining a firm stance on supporting Kyiv, the situation appears poised for further escalation. Whether Moscow will heed the warnings from Washington or continue its current course remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the war is far from over, and the stakes have never been higher.
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