Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said Ukraine's goal in the current conflict with Russia is complete victory and the restoration of Ukraine's borders to where they were in 1991. country since the Russian invasion earlier this year.
VOA: What are the goals you have set for Ukraine in the war with Russia?
Reznikov: The All-Ukrainian Plan to fully liberate the territory occupied by the United States and restore it to its internationally recognized borders in 1991 It's '15, not 2014. Not February 24, 2022. The ultimate goal is Ukraine's victory and restoration within its borders to where it was in 1991. This is the main plan.
It is possible to "cool down" military situations. I don't see any possibility of "freezing". This is what people tend to call a conflict because it's not a conflict. It's war. This was an open war between two of his regular armies, one of which invaded the territory of a neighboring country without justification or right. So this war is for survival. We protect ourselves to survive.
VOA: The number of combat-ready forces that Russian forces have amassed near the Ukrainian border or in occupied territories, according to your assessment.
Reznikov: I may be wrong, but according to the latest military reports, there are about 115 so-called battalion tactical groups. 10 are in rotation to restock or rest. All together, that's a maximum of 135,000 people.
VOA: What new military equipment do you expect to receive from the United States and other Western countries?
29} Reznikov: We expect support and assistance from our partners. We hope that there will be a political decision to provide an ATACMS [Army Tactical Missile System] capable of hitting targets at a distance of 300 km. This allows them to save more lives of male and female soldiers and inflict very successful damage.They have better radar, range, maneuverability and speed, giving them the ability to dominate the skies. I look forward to finally receiving my plane. And, of course, it will also be advantageous to receive tanks. Today, the modern world can easily provide technology to guarantee our victory and compensate for the imbalance of human resources [between Russia and Ukraine].
VOA: Are You Satisfied With Latest $1 Billion Aid Package From US To Ukraine
Reznikov: Very Satisfied doing. Contains a number of previously received 155 mm ammunition for artillery systems. Also included are quite a few missiles for the HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System]. Also missiles that allow our military to destroy and blind Russian radars. Helps weaken their air defense systems and act more decisively. Therefore, we are very happy with the assistance package. This is very helpful. Once again, I hope that a political decision regarding the ATACMS missiles will be taken soon. HIMARS has changed our battlefield strategy so much that ATACMS will be a great addition that will benefit Ukraine and the civilized world.
VOA: Has Ukraine ever lost in combat any of her HIMARS systems delivered to Ukraine by the United States?
Reznikov: You can take absolute responsibility to ensure that not a single HIMARS is lost. Therefore, if you read in the Russian mass media and social his network an article that "Soldier Ivanov with a Kalashnikov rifle broke into a truck and destroyed 12 of his HIMARS", laugh and hang his neck I have to turn around and say, advertising system. ” That is complete nonsense.
VOA: Do you have an agreement with the United States not to attack Russian military objects in Crimea with the weapon systems provided?
Reznikov: We have an agreement with the United States not to use weapons provided by our partner. Territory of the Russian Federation. However, if we are talking about liberating temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine with enemies, then there are no such restrictions.
VOA: What steps does Ukraine take to monitor and control the use of US weapons systems delivered to Ukraine.
Reznikov: [To control the use of weapons] There are several levels of such interaction. level of trust. Maintaining this support is essential. And [from the first appeal to the United States. At the Ramstein Conference [April 26] [Secretary of Defense] Lloyd, in his meeting with Mr. Austin and the other ministers, I said in person, in my address: We make this information fully public for you. Even if you want to go to the front line, send emissaries and administrators. Feel free to control it according to your own system.
Also, some countries immediately dispatched representatives to us in accordance with security regulations. If anyone says smuggling is involved, please know that you are fully concerned with their transparency, as it is all propaganda narrative aimed at undermining this support and reducing the level of trust. Emphasize again.
VOA: Please give a message to the world on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24th.
Reznikov: I have a question. We continue to pay for our independence. We paid less in blood, so we might have gotten our independence a little easier than other countries. But now we are paying a lot and blood washing our independence. Today, Ukraine's Independence Day is also the Independence Day of many European countries. So don't give in to fatigue syndrome. Stay with us and win together. Ukraine will win. Everything will be Ukraine.
