Russia Russian airstrikes: Ukraine calls for more support

A free hand for counter-attacks and more air defense - in view of the increasing number of Russian airstrikes in recent days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has called for greater support from the allies. "The sooner the world helps us to deal with the Russian fighter jets that are dropping these bombs, the sooner we can attack the Russian military infrastructure, the Russian military airfields, the closer we are to peace," said Selenskyj in his evening video address yesterday.

The Ukrainian military has long been demanding permission from the West to attack Russian positions and air bases far behind the front line with heavy weapons. Until now, the army has only been allowed to use weapons and ammunition supplied by allies near the front and in the border area with Russia. For attacks in the Russian hinterland, the Ukrainian armed forces have so far had to rely on drones from their own production, which are nowhere near as effective as missiles or cruise missiles.

"Especially in the defense of the Kharkiv region against the Russian offensive, we have proven that the determination of our partners really helps," Selenskyj continued. Under pressure from a Russian offensive near Kharkiv, the Western partners had allowed Ukraine to deploy heavy weapons across the border with Russia. "Strikes on the Russian border have helped to protect lives," said Selensky. "Courageous decisions" by Ukraine's partners are now needed. "The world has enough power to force Russia to make peace."

Zelensky asks for more air defense

In view of the Russian bombing campaign against Ukrainian cities, the President once again asked for more help with air defense. In the past week alone, Russia had dropped 800 glide bombs over his country, Selensky said yesterday in Kiev. He also published a video of destructive damage and fires in the regions of Kherson, Dnipro, Odessa and Zaporizhia, among others. Yesterday, the center of Kharkiv was shaken by another bomb explosion.

Russian glide bombs - bombs that are dropped from aircraft at a great distance from the target and then guided to the target by remote control - are causing the defenders particularly big problems. According to the authorities, seven people were killed and more than 40 injured in an attack on the city of Vilnyansk in the Zaporizhzhya region on Saturday. "Ukraine needs more air defense systems. We need strong help from our partners," said Selenskyj. The army is dependent on help in order to be able to shoot down the Russian fighter bombers.

The West is supporting Ukraine in its defensive fight against the Russian war of aggression, which Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin ordered in February 2022. The Ukrainian leadership is demanding even more US Patriot air defense systems to better protect its cities from Russian air strikes.

Russian attack hits Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine

At least one person was killed yesterday in a Russian glide bomb attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. According to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, ten people were also injured, including an eight-month-old baby. The bomb exploded in the middle of the city center on a company site. According to the Kharkiv military administration, a post office was hit in the attack.

The Russian military confirmed the attack on Kharkiv, as reported by the state agency Tass. According to the Russian military leadership, the post office building is said to have served as a warehouse for the Ukrainian army. The claims of both sides could not initially be independently verified.

Rocket debris pelting down on Kiev

Yesterday afternoon, a Russian missile was shot down by air defense over the Ukrainian capital Kiev. According to the Unian agency, the debris fell on a residential building, leaving five people in shock. The city's military administration said that the Russian military had fired several cruise missiles at the metropolis of millions. They were destroyed by the air defense.

SDA