After phone call with Trump: Selensky threatens Russia with attacks deep in the country's interior

A phone call with US President Trump gives the Ukrainian president a boost: Zelenskyy still hopes for Patriot deliveries. He also says Ukraine will soon receive hundreds of thousands of drones. Russia must prepare for attacks with long-range weapons.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine will receive hundreds of thousands of drones this year for its defense against the Russian war of aggression. Increased production has been agreed with a US company. "As a result, Ukraine will receive hundreds of thousands more drones at special conditions this year – and even more next year," Zelensky said in his evening video message broadcast in Kyiv. Priority would be given to interceptor drones.

Zelensky also said that Ukraine had signed an agreement with Denmark on joint weapons production. "We will work on Danish territory," he said. It is the first agreement of its kind; more such agreements are to follow. "This applies to drones and many other necessary types of weapons."

Ukraine wants to take away Russia's "appetite to kill"

In a video clip published on the platform X, Zelenskyy threatened further long-range strikes against military facilities deep in Russia's interior. The video reports on previous attacks on Russian defense factories, air bases, and oil refineries. This is intended to curb Russia's "appetite to kill."

The Russian Defense Ministry reported Ukrainian drone attacks throughout Saturday. This resulted in massive disruptions to passenger air traffic in the middle of the Russian summer holidays. According to Ukrainian sources that cannot be independently verified, drone strikes occurred at a Russian air base in the Voronezh region and at an arms factory in the city of Cheboksary, about 670 kilometers east of Moscow.

Zelenskyy praises talks with US President Trump

Following his telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy expressed confidence regarding the strengthening of air defenses, which Kyiv has repeatedly requested. The US Patriot defense systems are "key to defending against ballistic missiles." He expressed gratitude to the US for its willingness to help, Zelenskyy said.

"Regarding my conversation with the President of the United States of America the day before, it was probably the best conversation I've had in a long time, the most productive," Zelenskyy said in the video. He also said Ukraine is "actively working with Germany to expedite the decision on air defense." Chancellor Friedrich Merz had advocated for this with Trump.