Ukraine’s former top general names key factors for Ukraine’s victory over Russia

He made this statement during an online speech at the NV event “Ukraine is Changing the World: Dialogues About Opportunities.”

Zaluzhnyi emphasized that victory depends on two key areas — technology and politics. On the technological front, he highlighted three critical factors.

“To keep fighting — and even more so, to win — you need weapons that match the battlefield conditions. Right now, achieving that balance is tough because technology is evolving, changing the way wars are fought and forcing structural adjustments,” he said.

He pointed out that drones, control systems, and situational awareness tools provide a clear battlefield edge.

“But we see these technologies emerging on the enemy’s side too. To win, we must gain the upper hand. At the moment, we’re lagging in the development of fiber-optic UAVs, which gives Russia an advantage,” Zaluzhnyi added.

He also noted that Ukraine currently lacks the capability for mass deployment of guided aerial bombs and effective defenses against them — another edge for Russia.

“And finally, we can’t match Russia’s sheer numbers when it comes to human resources. They achieve their minor victories by combining three factors: a slight technological lead, mass drone use, and sheer manpower,” he stressed.

On the political front, Zaluzhnyi outlined four essential conditions for victory.

“The war will be won when those defending Ukraine are willing to keep fighting. That’s crucial. Second, we need strong and steady international support. Third, we need competent military leadership to build a unified strategy. And fourth, the whole process must be managed efficiently,” he concluded.