Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Needs Stronger Air Defense As Russia Intensifies Drone Attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for enhanced air defenses after Ukrainian forces successfully shot down 50 of 73 Russian drones launched overnight across multiple regions. Zelenskyy shared the update on Telegram, stating that an air alert has been declared almost daily throughout the week due to continued Russian aerial assaults.

In his statement, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for stronger defense measures, highlighting that over the past week, Russia had deployed more than 800 guided bombs, 460 drones, and over 20 missiles targeting Ukraine. Despite these aggressive tactics, Zelenskyy reminded the international community that Ukraine is a sovereign state, not a “testing ground” for weapons. He condemned Russia’s efforts to terrorize the Ukrainian population and destabilize the country.

On Sunday, Ukraine’s military confirmed the destruction of over 10 drones targeting Kyiv in an overnight strike. Fortunately, no damage or casualties were reported. The air raid alert in Kyiv lasted over three hours, and local witnesses reported hearing explosions, likely from air defense operations. Ukrainian military officials confirmed that drones were coming from multiple directions, targeting the capital city.

Russia has not commented on the overnight attack. However, the ongoing drone and missile assaults underscore the continued threat faced by Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.