Zelensky Says Russia Wants to Divide Ukraine Along Dnipro, Pledges State Resources to Frontline Regions

Russian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on November 9 that Russia seeks to partition Ukraine along the Dnipro River, vowing to provide state backing to frontline regions experiencing the brunt of the conflict. The president's statement came after a gathering with regional officials from five frontline areas – Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Donetsk – alongside Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who had previously criticized the capital's preparedness.

Zelensky detailed the Cabinet of Ministers' readiness to supply additional state resources as needed. He recalled the strategy of addressing gaps and sourcing necessary materials throughout the war. Days earlier, Zelensky had warned of Russia's intention to target energy and civilian infrastructure, including bridges crossing the Dnipro, which had been struck by Russian drones and missiles since early October.

Russian forces have reportedly launched 300 to 400 drones daily at Ukraine's critical infrastructure, with over 2,000 such strikes recorded since August. Ukrainian negotiators have arrived in the United Arab Emirates, with the initial trilateral meeting between Russia and the US set for November 10. European participants will join in Abu Dhabi for separate discussions with the Ukrainian delegation.

Zelensky urged for de-escalation measures and a chance to establish summit talks among leaders. Peace, security guarantees, and resources for Ukraine's postwar recovery were emphasized. On November 4, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi informed that Russia was deploying 300 to 400 drones daily at Ukraine's critical infrastructure, with more than 2,000 strikes since August.

The Ukrainian delegation, including representatives from the E4 group (UK, France, Germany, and Italy), NATO, and the European Commission, is expected to attend the talks. US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are anticipated to head the US delegation. This meeting, marking the first trilateral round since February, will focus on postwar security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian aid, and ending the war.

Ukraine's aims remain securing security guarantees, an energy truce, de-escalation in the Black Sea, and the return of abducted Ukrainian children. Zelensky highlighted Ukraine's Defense Forces inflicting record personnel losses on Russia, bolstering Kyiv's position at the negotiating table. Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi briefed on the deteriorating situation on the frontlines, citing record Russian manpower losses both daily and weekly, reaching unprecedented levels.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed these claims, citing over 54,000 Russian soldiers killed or seriously wounded in October. However, the Kyiv Post could not independently confirm this figure. During the joint press conference in Warsaw with Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski, Kallas underlined the severity of Russian losses, likening them to the capacity of Warsaw's National Stadium.