Russia continues to attack Ukraine, in particular with Shahed drones - last night alone, the Air Defense Forces shot down 20 UAVs. However, by the end of the year, the Russian army intends to launch approximately 11,000 Shahed drones and a large number of other air targets.

Former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, told Apostrophe TV about the goals of the Russians, as well as the current needs of the Ukrainian army to repel enemy attacks and the situation at the war front.

He assumes that by the end of 2024, Russia intends to launch 11,000 Shahed drones on the territory of Ukraine, as well as use more than 2 million rounds of ammunition, 130 long-range missiles and 100 short-range missiles.

"Unfortunately, all of this sounds realistic, so we need to get ready to shoot down these missiles and Shaheds," he comments.

Romanenko also notes that Ukraine has managed to reduce the offensive momentum of the occupiers, but the enemy is still trying to advance:

"We have reduced the offensive impulse of the occupiers, but they are trying to put pressure on us, and we need the strength and means to move to a more active defense."

He notes that Ukraine needs more ammunition for this purpose: "To do this, we need ammunition, at least to reach parity, and with this we can improve our position, because Western artillery systems is more accurate than the Russians have."

Romanenko expresses hope for the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and emphasizes the expansion of the capabilities of the Air Defense Forces:

"There is hope for the visit of French President Macron. The French are already actively helping us. It is also necessary to expand the capabilities of our Air Defense Forces, as the enemy uses ballistic missiles against us where it is most difficult for us to shoot them down. Therefore, the question here is the activity of President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is negotiating with Western partners, and this is also a question for the US Government to give the go-ahead for sending us F-16s."

He recalls that the Ukrainian President insists on the need for 25 Patriot systems, "...but this is a very optimistic figure, most likely for the future." Romanenko believes it is more realistic that partners can currently provide about 10-15 Patriot systems:

"It's more realistic that our partners can supply us with an additional 10-15 Patriot systems."

Earlier, Apostrophe reported that the Russians intensified offensive actions along the entire front line.