Aug 31, 2023 - World

Zelensky says Ukraine has new long-range weapons

 Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (not shown) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky give a joint press conference on August 24, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Aug. 24 press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Alexey Furman/Getty Images

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Thursday that the country had developed new long-range weapons, one day after Kremlin officials accused Kyiv of launching a wave of drone strikes that targeted six Russian regions.

Driving the news: "Successful use of our long-range weapons: the target was hit at a distance of 700 km [435 miles]!" Zelensky said in an online post that did not go as far as claiming responsibility for Wednesday's attacks in Russia's Pskov, Bryansk, Kaluga, Orlov, Ryazan and Moscow regions.

Of note: Kyiv typically doesn't comment on drone strikes on Russian soil.

The big picture: As Putin's military invasion of Ukraine enters its 555th day on Friday, Ukrainian officials reported key gains in the country's south as part of their ongoing counteroffensive.

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