Ukraine says battlefield ‘stabilizing,’ Kyiv destroying most Russian drones

Ukraine has emerged from what officials have said was its most challenging winter of the war with a stabilized front line and an air defense capable of knocking down the vast majority of incoming Russian drones, Kyiv’s top diplomat said Monday in Brussels.

Speaking ahead of a European Union meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the country’s position has improved and cited ongoing support from the West.

“We have a new reality on the battlefield. We stabilized the front, [and] we closed the sky, if you’re talking about drones,” Mr. Sybiha told reporters in Brussels. “Now we can shoot down 90% of the aerial objects with which Russia attacks us.”

Ukraine endured what was reported to be the coldest winter in nearly 20 years while Moscow targeted the country’s energy grid, leaving millions without electricity or heat for extended periods.

“We are also conducting very effective special long-range [operations], and they are working,” Mr. Sybiha said.

He said plans for implementing further sanctions on Russia would also be discussed with the E.U. foreign ministers. While leadership from Washington is still crucial, Mr. Sybiha said Europe also has an important role to play in ensuring an end to Moscow’s hostilities.

“We try to use any opportunity to bring a just and comprehensive peace closer,” he said.