Russia has snubbed reports that it was running out of ammunition and armoured vehicles with former President Dmitry Medvedev stating that its production of weapons and equipment was only increasing.
In a statement posted on his Telegram channel, Medvedev, a Putin ally, rubbished reports by western defence analysts who believe Russia lacked enough missiles and armoured vehicles as it faces stiff resistance from Ukraine.
"Reading enemy analytics, I have repeatedly come across statements that military equipment and weapons in Russia will soon run out. As if everything has already been used up,” Medvedev was quoted by CNN.
"Do not hope! The production of weapons and special equipment is increasing from tanks and guns to high-precision missiles and drones. Just wait!" he said.
He added that Kremlin was carrying out control check of the tanks at Uralvagonzavod corporation in Nizhny Tagil, Russia’s largest manufacturer of armoured vehicles, as per Russian President Vladimir Putin's instructions.
"Issues of accelerating the supply of equipment to the troops for use during the special military operation were discussed," Medvedev added.
Zelensky blasts Israel
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has blasted Israel, calling out its "neutrality" in the Ukraine war. The president said the decision by Israeli leaders not to support Kyiv with weaponry has encouraged Russia’s military partnership with Iran.
Speaking at a conference organized by an Israeli newspaper, the Ukrainian president once again requested Tel Aviv for its Iron Dome anti-missile technology so that it can defend itself from Russia's missile barrage.
"Ukraine’s army is beating the Russians on the battlefield, but unfortunately, we do not have our own Iron Dome. We still do not have a modern and effective air defence and missile defence system that could secure our skies," Zelensky said.
Zelensky's requests come in the wake of Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz's recent comments that Tel Aviv would not provide Ukraine with advanced defence systems. According to reports, Israeli military and senior officials fear that offering defence aid to Ukraine would irk Russia.
However, Zelensky claimed that the decision "not to annoy" Russia by helping Ukraine militarily enabled the partnership between Moscow and Tehran. "This alliance of theirs simply would not have happened if your politicians had made only one decision at the time," Zelenskyy said.
"It seems that it was adopted a long time ago – in 2014 when Russia began its aggression against Ukraine," he added.
The Ukrainian president also alleged that Iran was not "just interested in money."
"How does Russia pay Iran for this in your opinion? Is Iran just interested in money? Probably not money at all, but Russian assistance to the Iranian nuclear programme," Zelensky alleged. He added that Russia ordered about 2,000 Shahed-136 'kamikaze' drones from Iran.