03 January 2023 , 20:12
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken of hopes to “bring victory closer” in 2023 with the support of the UK.
He said he “discussed further defence cooperation” with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a call today.
Mr Zelensky tweeted: “We agreed to intensify our efforts to bring victory closer this year.
“We have concrete decisions for this.”
Mr Sunak said Ukraine could “count on the UK to continue to support it for the long term”, the PM’s spokesman said.
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Work was also under way to provide further equipment in the coming weeks and months to secure Ukraine’s victory on the battlefield, Mr Sunak told Mr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian President said 'concrete decisions' had been made (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)It came as the frontline town of Ivanivka, Luhansk Oblast, was hit by shelling, with emergency services seen battling fires.
Mr Zelensky also said Russia is planning a protracted campaign of drone attacks in a bid to demoralise Ukraine. He said his intelligence suggested Moscow would use Iranian-made Shahed drones.
Speaking from Kyiv in his nightly address, Mr Zelensky said Russia planned to “exhaust” Ukraine with a prolonged wave of attacks.
Mr Zelensky said Russia is trying to exhaust Ukrainian forces (AFP via Getty Images)“We must ensure – and we will do everything for this – that this goal of terrorists fails like all the others,” he said.
“Everyone involved in the protection of the sky should be attentive.”
Russian drone strikes on Ukraine seem to have increased over the past three nights, with attacks on cities and utility services.
Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for several months, destroying power stations and plunging millions into darkness during the freezing winter.
Mr Zelensky said Ukraine had already shot down over 80 Iranian-made drones in 2023.