"The Armed Forces of Ukraine helped Ukraine radically change its negotiating position," said Sibiga
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated that Ukraine’s current positions on the battlefield are the strongest they have been in the past year, and that technological superiority and effective defense are becoming key factors in establishing a just peace.
He made these remarks during a meeting with journalists from Ukrainian and international media outlets.
According to the foreign minister, Ukraine has been able to significantly shift the balance of power thanks to the development of drone technology and the strengthening of air defense.
“Our situation can now be described as follows. We are holding the line. Indeed, our position on the battlefield is the strongest or most solid it has been in the past year. Truly the strongest. We have minimized the Russians’ advantage in manpower through the use of drones,” Sibiga noted.
He emphasized that the enemy’s advantage in manpower is no longer decisive on the battlefield.
“Now, superiority in manpower is no longer decisive on the battlefield. This is an achievement of the Ukrainian military, and in fact, it is also a factor that will determine much of what happens next,” the minister added.
Separately, Sybiha noted the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense, which, according to him, is capable of effectively protecting critical infrastructure and cities.
“The second element is a closed sky. We have also achieved success here; we can shoot down up to 90% of the targets striking our cities and Ukraine. This is our new geopolitical strength,” he said.
The minister also emphasized the role of asymmetric approaches in the war against Russia, which allow Ukraine to compensate for the enemy’s advantage in resources.
“The third element of the situation—I hesitate to call it a strategy, but rather a reality, perhaps a reality—is asymmetric attacks. With such an enemy, asymmetry is key: asymmetry in thinking, asymmetry in the development of tactics, and asymmetry in technological advancement,” Sibiga emphasized.
According to him, the combination of resilience on the front lines, technological development, and effective defense is creating new conditions that directly influence Ukraine’s international negotiating positions.
Russian troops have not abandoned their plans to advance and intend to capture not only the Donbas but the entire territory of Ukraine. At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to systematically undermine the enemy’s ability to wage war.
Total combat losses of Russian troops since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as of April 22, 2026, amount to approximately 1,321,450 personnel. In the past 24 hours alone, losses totaled another 1,140 soldiers.
Over the past 24 hours, 194 combat engagements took place on the front lines. The Russian army concentrated most of its attacks on the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka sectors. The occupiers are actively using aircraft, drones, and artillery.
