Ukrainian prime minister: Russia plans to grab five more Ukrainian regions

Russia is advancing toward the borders of at least five more Ukrainian regions — the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, and the northeastern regions of Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv — Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País.

“They have some truly delusional political goals […] aimed at gaining leverage in negotiations and presenting us with surrender terms — something that is absolutely unacceptable,” Shmyhal said.

For now, Ukrainian forces have managed to stabilize the front line, though Russian troops continue to advance. 

“We’re tired — which is natural after such a long war — but we are not exhausted, and that’s what matters,” he said.

Shmyhal said that Ukraine remains committed to the fight, knowing it has the support of its international partners. But he stressed the urgent need for more air defense systems — specifically Patriot, Hawk, and other surface-to-air missiles.

“More than offensive weapons, we need defensive systems to protect our skies. Russia has significantly ramped up production of Iranian-style drones and missiles. Every night, they launch between 300 and 500 drones and rockets,” he said.

Ukraine is also urging allies to impose additional sanctions on Russia. Shmyhal said pressure must come from both the battlefield and the economic front.

“That will shrink the space for Russian manipulation, lies, and economic growth. Eventually, they’ll come to the negotiating table and ask for peace. That’s our strategy,” he said.