Ukraine Needs More Weapons To 'Liquidate Russians,' Defense Secretary Says

As concerns grow over Russia's plans for a renewed major offensive in Ukraine, the country's National Security and Defense Council secretary said Kyiv needs more weapons urgently to "liquidate" the occupiers.

According to experts, the chances of Russia carrying out another major offensive in an attempt to win the war with Ukraine are high.

"We want 2023 to be the year of victory, but we are realists, and I think that the West doesn't know what to do with Russia," Oleksiy Danilov told the Kyiv Independent during an interview.

Talking about Ukraine's strategy, he said his country "needs more weapons, and it needs them as fast as possible to 'liquidate Russians.'"

"We need tanks to defend ourselves and develop counter-offensives," Danilov said. "We need cannons, shells, tanks, rockets, planes, and we needed them by yesterday."

For Ukraine, "wasting time means losing the lives of people who die for our freedom," he said, adding the West must overcome its fear of Russia, and help the former with all necessary weapons.

"If you are scared – you are already defeated," he said. "We don't feel fear toward these barbarians, and that's why we're going to be victorious."

Meanwhile, Ukraine's intelligence claimed Sunday that Russia was preparing to mobilize 300,000 to 500,000 troops to carry out a major offensive in the Donbas. Vladimir Putin will also "possibly" launch an attack in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the spring and summer.

Vadim Skibitsky, the deputy head of Ukrainian military intelligence, signed a report mentioning the claims, adding the new wave of mobilization may take up to two months.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky also warned of an imminent Russian offensive in the Donbas. Zelensky said Russia was building up troops to seek "revenge."

Ukraine must "not give them (Russian troops) this opportunity until our army is strengthened with appropriate weapons," he said, adding: "I think we have a chance."

The war in Ukraine has been going on since Feb. 24, 2022, and has caused massive destruction. Millions of people have been displaced in Ukraine and thousands of soldiers and civilians lost their lives. Despite several peace talks, the two nations continue to clash.