"Learning really well": Reznikov on Russians adapting to Ukraine's new capabilities

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov of Ukraine noted that the Russians "are learning very well" as the war against Ukraine keeps raging.

The minister spoke in an interview with Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Komarov, Ukrinform reports.

"They (Russians) are learning really well. When we got HIMARS this summer, which inflicted damage at a 80 km range, the situation changed because we started destroying their command and control posts. But then they moved all their control points, all their depots, all their logistical routes 120 km back so that we could not reach them with HIMARS. Why are we convincing our partners that we need a batch of ‘longer-range’ weapons, at least 150 km. We also ask for a 300-km range (ATACMS) but so far our partners are hesitating because, unfortunately, they still keep thinking that every time they give us weapons, this can lead to another escalation," the head of the Ministry of Defense emphasized.

Reznikov also noted that each time it is necessary to convince international partners that Ukraine will use the weapons purely for "protection and self-defense."

According to the minister, Ukraine officials should every time emphasize during talks with partners that the nation’s Defense Forces will employ those weapons only to liberate the Russian-captured Ukrainian territories and that they will not target the Russian territory.

It should be recalled that on May 5, the EU approved the allocation of EUR 1 billion worth of ammunition for Ukraine.