Zelensky highlights value of drones and offers support to NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized the importance of drones in defending his country against the Russian invasion and has simultaneously offered NATO support in countering Russian drones.

"The most effective sanctions – the sanctions that work the fastest – are fires in Russian oil refineries, at their terminals and oil depots," he said in his evening video address on Sunday, referring to a series of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the Russian oil sector.

He said these attacks are painful for Russia and also impact Moscow's war efforts. The attacks have "significantly restricted the Russian oil industry, and that significantly restricts the war," Zelensky said.

Ukraine recently attacked one of Russia's largest refineries in the city of Kirishi, 110 kilometres south-east of St Petersburg.

Before the official confirmation of the attack, images and videos showing large flames over the refinery were already circulating on social networks.

Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to share its experiences in countering Russian drone attacks with NATO, referring to the recent incursion by Russian drones into Polish airspace a few days ago and the recent incident with a Russian drone over Romania.

"We are ready to train all partners in this defence," said Zelensky. "Everyone sees that the Russians are looking for ways to expand the war into the territory of Poland and the Baltic States, and the Russian army is also testing Romania."

While NATO has effective defensive weapons, he said that Ukraine has developed "significantly more cost-effective, massive and systematic solutions."