Summary Zelenskky urges allies for increased air defense support. Ukraine seeks Western long-range weapons for offense. Allies donate various air defense systems to replenish Ukraine's capabilities.
Addressing a meeting at the monthly Ukrainian Defense Contact Group, Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelenskyy stated allies should increase their contributions to Ukraine's air defense. Ukraine recently fought off what may have been the largest stand-off missile and drone attack in history. While it succeeded in shooting a huge number of missiles and drones down, many struck home, and Ukraine also lost a newly-arrived F-16 for unclear reasons as it engaged Russian missiles .
Zelenskky pleads for more air defense Zelenskky has once again called for more air defense systems to be donated so that it can continue to fend off seemingly relentless Russian air attacks on the country. He also reiterated Ukraine's desire and need to use Western-provided long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia and not wait for them to attack Ukraine at a time and place of their choosing. “The world has enough air defense systems to ensure that Russian terror does not have results, and I urge you to be more active in this war with us for the air defense.
We have already started operating F-16s. Thank you for this support, Secretary! And to you, partners! They strike down missiles and drones, they are very efficient. But they are few.
You know that. We need a much stronger fleet of F-16s, and I have p.