Zelenskyy: Russians increasingly realise Putin is responsible for their losses

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia’s battlefield losses and Ukraine’s strikes on Russian territory are creating a “toxic atmosphere” around Russian President Vladimir Putin and that more Russians are beginning to recognise him as the sole cause of the war.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s successes on the battlefield, together with its long- and medium-range strikes, had changed the political climate surrounding the Kremlin leader.

“The situation on the front and our long- and medium-range strikes are creating a new atmosphere around Putin - a very toxic atmosphere,” Zelenskyy said.

He argued that Putin alone bears responsibility for both starting the war and preventing its end.

“The only reason for Russia’s losses is Putin,” Zelenskyy said, adding that members of the Russian president’s inner circle understand this and are sending signals to Ukraine and its international partners.

“Russian society is increasingly beginning to realise this as well,” he said.

Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine remains committed to achieving a just end to the war.

“Ukraine has long been ready for this. We are doing everything we can to ensure this war ends in a dignified way,” he said.