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Zelensky confirms Ukraine shot down two Russian fighter jets using seaborne drones, believed to be the first successful strikes of their kind
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said a ceasefire is possible “even from today” if Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war.
Mr Zelensky said Russia has for almost two months ignored a US proposal for a full ceasefire.
“We believe that without increased pressure, Russia will not take real practical steps to end the war. Today marks the 54th day that Russia has ignored even the American proposal to completely cease fire,” Mr Zelensky told reporters as he met with Czech president Petr Pavel in Prague yesterday.
“We believe that a ceasefire is possible at any moment, even starting today, and should last at least 30 days to give diplomacy a real chance,” the Ukrainian president said.
Mr Zelensky’s comments came after two Russian fighter jets were confirmed destroyed by Ukrainian sea drones.
Ukraine’s military intelligence said it shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk using a naval drone on Saturday, calling it the world’s first such strike.
Dismissing Vladimir Putin’s offer of a brief ceasefire in May as yet “another attempt at manipulation” is an understatement. The Russian president is – according to the former head of MI6 – intent on taking much more than just Ukraine.
Far from being worried by recent mini-threats from Donald Trump to increase sanctions or stung by the US president’s irritation at Russia’s stalling over a ceasefire, Putin is cupping his ears in a pantomime of attention and carrying on doing as he pleases.
Such behaviour chimes with the uncharacteristically stark message from ex-spy chief Sir Alex Younger who, after a lifetime in the shadows of espionage, has a simple message: “If you don’t stand up to him, he comes back for more – how many more times do we need to be told this?”
World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley looks at the current state of the conflict, the likelihood of a lasting ceasefire and what Russian leader Vladimir Putin is planning next:
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded “more sanctions” on Russia with a peace deal still appearing far from being reached.
“Three things are needed. More sanctions against Russia, continued support for Ukraine, and a significant increase in defence cooperation across Europe,” Mr Zelensky said.
“Russia must know that Europeans will defend themselves.”
Mr Zelensky was speaking from Prague alongside Czech president Petr Pavel, who he met on Sunday to discuss artillery and F-16 support.
Mr Pavel said Russia had yet to show any indication it wanted to proceed with measures to end the war.
“If someone has all the cards in their hand to end the war then it is President Putin, who can do it with a single decision,” he told reporters. “But so far the will has not appeared”.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has said a ceasefire is possible “even from today” if Moscow is serious about ending the war.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Czech president Petr Pavel yesterday, Mr Zelensky noted that Russia has ignored a US proposal for a full ceasefire for 54 days and thanked the Czech Republic for backing Ukraine’s call for a 30-day ceasefire.
“Putin is very eager to show off his tanks at the (Victory Day) parade,” Mr Zelensky said, “but he should think about ending his war.”
He again expressed deep skepticism over Russia’s proposal of a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in the Second World War, saying Moscow continues to launch hundreds of assaults despite publicly signaling interest in a partial truce.
“Even during Easter, despite promises — including to the United States — Russia carried out more than a hundred assaults,” Mr Zelensky said, referring to Russian attacks during the 30-hour Easter ceasefire unilaterally declared by the Kremlin leader.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen and that he hopes it will not.
In comments aired yesterday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century in power, Mr Putin said Russia has the strength and the means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a “logical conclusion.”
Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Mr Putin said: “There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons … and I hope they will not be required.”
“We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires,” he said.
Ukraine says it destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet using a missile fired from a seaborne drone, in what it said was the world’s first downing of a combat plane by a maritime drone.
Its GUR military intelligence agency said on social media that the fighter had been shot down by a military intelligence unit called Group 13 on Friday over waters near Novorossiisk, a major Russian port city on the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s seaborne drones, which are much cheaper and smaller than conventional ships, have wrought havoc on Russia’s Black Sea fleet, with the Sukhoi-30 only the latest reported casualty.
According to its manufacturer, serial production of the aircraft began in 2022.
Designed in the “pixelated” camouflage colour scheme, the Sukhoi fighter jet’s body has a colour mix of dark and light grey with and black pixels, which experts say is designed to add to its stealth capabilities.
It can be developed for carrying missiles and bombs in cargo compartments and has a major onboard defence complex. The jet also features an internal weapons bay, giving the pilot a choice between long-range or close-combat missiles.
Chief test pilot Sergei Bogdan Bogdan claims the fifth-generation fighter jet’s agility could give it an edge over its American competitor, the F-35.
Two Russian fighter jets have been destroyed by Ukrainian sea drones, according to reports, with video of the first strike emerging.
Ukraine’s military intelligence said it shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk using a naval drone on Saturday, calling it the world’s first such strike.
The agency chief then told The War Zone that two Russian jets were in fact downed in the operation on Saturday.
US president Donald Trump has said he is not sure if he will be meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this month in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to reporters as he returned to the White House after a weekend in Florida, Mr Trump was asked whether he planned to meet Mr Putin when he travels to the Middle East later this month where he will meet several Gulf leaders.
He said he had not thought about this but “we’ve had some very good discussions” about Russia and Ukraine in recent days.
“There’s a lot of hatred there,” he said.
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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin could call ceasefire ‘even today’ if he wanted to, says Zelensky – The Independent
