Zelensky says Russia's budget deficit is biggest of any war year
Zelensky says most Russian regions are already bankrupt and that Moscow's summer military push failed outright.
Published
Zelensky said Russia's budget deficit is now the biggest in any year of the war, and that most Russian regions are already bankrupt. He said Russia's planned major summer operations all failed, and that its bets on cruise missiles and Shahed drones did not work as Putin expected.
Zelensky also said Putin's repeated promises of battlefield gains have become hollow and habitual, and that they point to little prospect of near-term Russian territorial advances.
The claims come as diplomacy over the war continues on a separate track. Rubio has said Russia and Ukraine both want a grain and energy ceasefire, after meeting Lavrov in New York. The Kremlin has said conditions for peace talks are not yet ready, and that Zelensky could visit Russia only after decisions are made. Putin has told servicemen that Russia's military goals in Ukraine will be achieved. Zelensky himself warned on Tuesday that Russia is preparing a large-scale attack on Ukraine.
Zelensky's account of Russian fiscal strain and failed operations echoes assessments from US officials, including Secretary of State Rubio, that Russia is "not doing well" in the war. But it is political messaging rather than independently verified data. It reinforces a narrative of weakening Russian military capacity without changing the immediate military picture or the trajectory of the ceasefire talks both sides are reportedly exploring.