Zelenskyy slams appeasement of Putin after devastating Russian attack
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A massive combined drone and missile attack on Ukraine by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Nov. 17 was a response to those who tried to negotiate or communicate with him, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his traditional evening video address to the nation.
He described the attack as one of the largest and most dangerous of the entire war, involving 210 drones and missiles.
"Fortunately, most of the targets were downed. The target for Russia was energy and critical infrastructure. And this is the answer to all those who wanted to achieve something with Putin through talks, phone calls, hugs of appeasement," he said.
“Today, this ‘dove of peace’ has sent us more Kinzhal and Kalibr (missiles). That's the kind of diplomacy he does. His language is meanness,” he said.
Zelenskyy thanked Western partners for providing Ukraine with air defense systems and ammunition, stressing the importance of these supplies in repelling Russian aggression.
"We see how important it is not to leave Patriots and other systems in warehouses somewhere, but to transfer them to those who can protect lives and need them. We have not yet received all the systems we need from our partners. But we are working on it. When this result is achieved, the repulsion of attacks will be more complete.
The Russian attack on November 17 left more than 1 million Ukrainians temporarily without power. Restoration work is underway in four oblasts, with repair teams working "around the clock."
"Sadly, the Russian attack has left some people wounded: in the oblasts of Lviv, Kyiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa and Zaporizhzhya. All of them have received the necessary assistance. There are also some dead. Unfortunately. My condolences to their families and friends. We will definitely respond to the invaders. And we have to withstand the pressure now. Any blow. To achieve our goal next year. To achieve peace.”
Strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities, including long-range ones, is part of Kyiv’s Victory Plan, Zelenskyy said, commenting on permissions for long-range strikes inside Russia reportedly granted by the U.S., the UK, and France.
“Strikes are not delivered with words. Such things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves. They will,” he said.
Earlier in the day, media reported that U.S. President Joe Biden had authorized Ukraine to carry out strikes deep into Russian territory with U.S.-made ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 190 miles (306 km).
On the night of Nov. 16-17, 2024, Russian forces launched a combined assault with 210 missiles and drones aimed at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 144 of the incoming targets.
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