Liberating Russian-targeted territories is Ukraine's top priority

We can tackle any objects in Russian territory because Russia is aggressive against Ukraine and we have all moral and juridical right to do this. But for the moment, for us, it's more important to liberate our territories. So that is our priority aim. At least nine people died earlier today in a new wave of strikes across Ukraine, in which Russia used powerful weapons, including rare hypersonic missiles. Russia had reportedly not fired Kinzau hypersonic missiles, which can evade their defenses since the beginning of the conflict. And this latest barrage was the most severe to hit Ukraine for weeks, cutting power to the Zaporizhia nuclear plant, which is Europe's biggest. Well, earlier this evening, I spoke to Alexei Honcharenko, people's deputy of Ukraine, and former chairman of the Odessa Oblast Council.

And he told me how people in Kharkiv, the second city, have been reacting. Yeah, that was the biggest missile attack from the beginning of this year, one of the biggest throughout the war. The most damaged city is Kharkiv, the second biggest city area of Ukraine. I've been to Kharkiv the whole day. There was no water, no electricity, no heating, no mobile connection. So difficult situation. So Kiev, Odessa, and other parts of Ukraine were touched and hit.

Like, definitely it's a challenge for people. It's good that now it's already March, so it's not so cold. And that makes it easier, but in general, it's a problem. But also like five people are killed, number wounded. So that's a real challenge. One of the things we're used to seeing on our TV and hearing on our radio, reading on our newspaper is the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people. But one wonders how much longer they can endure this.

What are people being saying today to you in Kharkiv? Because this has been going on for a long time and it's been a truly terrible bombardment today. I haven't seen anyone person who was complaining about how much better to be essential for Ukraine and Ukraine. It's to be or not to be. So we need to win this war and everybody realize it. But the type of weapons that the Russians have chosen to use now are to quote a Ukrainian defence spokesman like never before. These Kinzal ballistic missiles travelling several times the speed of sound and also the Kh-22 anti-ship missiles and the S-300. These are weapons which I'm sure you're familiar with.

How concerned are you that the Russians may be turning the screw, making it even more terrible for Ukrainians on the ground? We are concerned and we hope that Ukraine will receive more air to send against such barbaric attacks. Because part of these can be intercepted by, for example, the Petro system, which still Ukraine is so desperately waiting for. We're hearing a lot in this country also about the city of Bakhmutsk, which was held by the Russians and then there was a counter-offensive and the Russians were then saying to the Ukrainians, leave, we have you surrounded. But President Zelensky says no, we're not going to give any territory. What is the petition today? The situation in Bakhmut is very critical. Russia is already controlling part of the city, but we continue to fight. Friend of mine is there now inside the city.

They continue to fight. I can't predict what will be the result. But Ukraine is not going to give up any of our territory. So Bakhmut is not exception. Anything I want to remind you that Russia is attacking Bakhmut from July of last year, almost one year and they can't take it. It shows really capability of Russian army and the strength of Ukrainian. At the same time, this war of attrition around Bakhmut is claiming so many lives as an estimate of 20 to 30,000 lives of Russians.

And well, one doesn't know what the cost of human life is among the Ukrainians. Do you know? We don't know exact numbers, but definitely we also have lots of, but it's been in several times at least five, seven times less than lots of Russian army. And what do you think is going to happen next in this war? Everybody's been talking about the major Russian offensive after the first anniversary. Once they've got their reserves lined up, even possibility of Belarus joining in. What are your concerns? What are your fears? I think that Russia has no capability for a big attack and big offensive. I don't think that they will attack from Belarus, but definitely we should be very cautious about this. I think the Russia will continue the war of attrition and using their soldiers as cannon fodder.

And at the same time, Ukraine is preparing its own counter offensive. So it's hard to predict the war. We will see the development in the nearest months. And how much of the Ukrainian counter offensive will involve strikes deeper and deeper into Russian territory? We can tackle any objects in Russian territory because Russia is aggressive against Ukraine and we have all moral and juridical right to do this. But for the moment, for us, it's more important to liberate our territories. So that is our priority aim. And that was Alexei Honchenenko, People's Deputy of Ukraine and former Chairman of the Odessa Oblast Council.

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