1,000 Days Of War: Zelensky Calls For Stronger Push Against Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Europe to “push Russia harder” during a speech marking 1,000 days since Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“The more time he [Putin] has, the worse the conditions become,” Zelensky told a special session of the European Parliament on Tuesday, urging continued pressure to force Russia toward a “just peace.”

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His address coincided with reports suggesting Ukraine may have used US-supplied Atacms long-range missiles for the first time to strike an ammunition depot deep inside Russia’s Bryansk region, located approximately 100 kilometres from the border. While the RBC Ukraine news site reported the strike, there was no immediate confirmation or evidence that US missiles were involved, as Kyiv often employs domestically produced drones for such operations.

This development follows Washington’s recent decision to lift restrictions on the use of Atacms missiles outside Ukrainian borders. US officials clarified that the missiles were intended for defensive purposes, particularly in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had launched a surprise incursion in August and where Russian and North Korean troops are reportedly preparing for an assault.

During his address, Zelensky emphasized that Putin “[will] not stop on his own” and highlighted the deployment of North Korean troops as evidence of Moscow’s intent to escalate the conflict further. He reiterated his plea for European nations to intensify efforts to counter Russia’s aggression and safeguard international stability.

“While some European leaders think about some elections, or something like this, at Ukraine’s expense, Putin is focused on winning this war,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military commander in chief wrote on Telegram that the country had faced 1,000 days of “extremely complex, fierce battle for our existence” and “destroying the enemy”.

“In the frozen trenches of Donetsk region and in the burning steppes of Kherson region under shells, hail, and anti-aircraft guns – we are fighting for the right to life.”

He added: “Every dark night, even if there are a thousand of them, always ends with dawn.”

The comments came after eight people, including a child, were killed in a drone attack on Ukraine’s northeastern region of Sumy overnight, where 89 were also killed in a separate strike on Sunday.

The Kremlin has approved an updated nuclear doctrine, declaring that aggression from a non-nuclear state—if supported by a nuclear power—will be treated as a joint attack on Russia.