KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged allies on Sunday to fulfill their commitments to provide Ukraine with weapons, specifically those needed to counter Russian air attacks.
Zelenskiy highlighted the relentless assaults by Russian forces over the past week, revealing that hundreds of strikes had been launched against Ukraine, with nearly 700 aerial bombs and over 600 attack drones deployed in the attacks.
In a significant defensive effort, Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept and down 60 out of the 94 drones launched by Russia overnight. The Ukrainian air force disclosed on Sunday that 34 drones were “lost,” indicating Ukraine’s utilization of electronic warfare tactics to redirect Russian drones.
“The Russian army’s continued ability to terrorize Ukraine and leverage its aerial superiority allows the war to persist week after week,” Zelenskiy conveyed via the Telegram messaging platform, emphasizing the critical need for ongoing support from Ukraine’s allies to fulfill existing agreements.
Zelenskiy specifically referenced the outcomes of the NATO summit in Washington and the Ramstein meetings, stressing that the commitments made regarding air defenses for Ukraine are yet to be fully enacted.
During discussions with partners and the United States, Ukraine’s leader explored the potential issuance of licenses for the local production of air defense systems and missiles, underscoring the nation’s determination to enhance its defensive capabilities in the face of escalating aggression.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense as the conflict with Russian forces persists, with ongoing calls for international support and solidarity to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and safeguard its sovereignty.
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Ros Russell)
