Speaking from the capital Kyiv, Zelensky told CNN that the Russian president could also be prepared to use chemical weapons against Ukraine. The CIA director this week warned of Putin’s “potential despair” after military failures that could prompt him to develop regular or low-efficiency nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Asked if he was worried about the prospect of a nuclear attack, Mr Zelensky said: “Not just me – the whole world, all countries should be worried.” Mr Zelensky added: “Chemical weapons … could do it, for them human life [is] nothing. Here’s why. We must think not to be afraid, not to be afraid but to be ready. “But this is not an issue for Ukraine, not just for Ukraine but for the whole world, I think.” In an extensive interview, Zelensky said he believed about 2,500 to 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed so far and another 10,000 wounded in the conflict, but he was not sure how many Ukrainian civilians had lost their lives. He said: “It is very difficult to talk about civilians, since in the south of our country, where the cities are blocked – Kherson, Berdyansk, Mariupol to the east and the area to the east where Volnovaka is – we just do not know how many people have died in this excluded area. “ Zelensky says he believes about 2,500 to 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed so far in the conflict. (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The Ukrainian president also touched on the recent sinking of the Russian warship Moskva, but declined to comment on whether his country played a role in its dismantling. “We know it no longer exists,” Zelensky said. “For us it is a powerful weapon against our country, so its sinking is not a tragedy for us. I want you, the rest of the people, to realize that. “The fewer weapons the Russian Federation has that has attacked our country, the better for us. The less capable they are. This is important.” Damaged Russian military vehicles seen in Yahidne, near Chernihiv, Ukraine (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The boat sank on Thursday while being towed in port under stormy weather conditions after an explosion and fire on the ship, according to Russian news agencies, citing the Ministry of Defense. Moscow had earlier claimed that the crew of 500 people aboard the Soviet-era cruiser had been evacuated after the ship’s ammunition exploded, setting it on fire. However, the United States has confirmed Ukraine’s claim that it hit the warship with two Neptune anti-ship missiles. Mr Zelensky’s comments come just a day after he told Ukrainians he should be proud to have survived 50 days of Russian attack when the invaders “gave us a maximum of five”. The Independent has a proud campaign history for the rights of the most vulnerable and we first launched our “Welcome Refugees” campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and start this report on In the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we call on the government to move faster and faster to secure aid. To learn more about our Refugee Campaign, click here. To sign the application click here. If you would like to donate, click here for our GoFundMe page.
