Ukrainian President Urges Stronger Defence Against Escalating Russian Attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated, in his Sunday evening address via video message, the pressing need for additional anti-aircraft defence measures.
He emphasised that the Russian adversary had deployed hundreds of rockets, drones, and bombs within just one week, and throughout the two years of conflict, there hadn't been a week without attacks from Moscow.
"Our air defence system must be significantly bolstered. We are collaborating with all our partners, whose decisions have the potential to alter the course of this conflict and safeguard our cities and villages from terror. Moreover, our soldiers are already intercepting at least a portion of the rockets and the majority of the drones," declared the Ukrainian president.
Zelensky stated, "Throughout this week, from Monday until today, Russian militants have deployed nearly 190 rockets of various types and almost 140 Shahed drones, in addition to almost 700 guided aerial bombs. Over the course of more than 2 years of conflict, Russia has not refrained from acts of terror for a single week."
He also implied that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory will persist, especially after recent intensified attacks on critical infrastructure vital for Russia's military campaign.
"We are exerting all efforts to ensure that the occupying forces experience our fully appropriate response to this terror consistently - every week, every day," stated Zelensky, who expressed gratitude to both the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defence forces and "all the heroes who disrupt logistics in the occupied territory, who clear Crimea and the Black Sea of the occupier's influence," referring to special service troops.
"The key is to avoid fatigue, to maintain our level of activity, and to retain confidence in Ukraine, in our people, and in our capability to demonstrate to the world that the enemy of human life has no entitlement to triumph - Putin has no entitlement to triumph. He must be deprived of his ability to devastate the lives of others. This is the sole means to ensure collective security - for our people, for all Europeans, for the entire world. I express gratitude to all those supporting Ukraine!" Zelensky concluded his Sunday evening video address.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
