Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO to determine if it truly stands as Kyiv’s ally. He called on defense ministers of NATO member states to increase arms support for Ukraine, particularly requesting at least seven additional air defense systems.
This plea followed a series of deadly drone and missile attacks launched by Russia across Ukraine, resulting in casualties, including children.
Addressing NATO defense ministers via video link, Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for a safe sky over Ukraine, stressing that the decision lies with NATO. He urged the alliance to consider whether they genuinely stand as allies to Ukraine.
Zelensky highlighted the disparity in support between Western efforts to defend Israel from recent aerial attacks by Iran and Ukraine’s situation, advocating for greater assistance to fend off Russian bombardments.
Bolstering Ukraine’s Defense: Zelensky Appeals for Western Support
Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s reliance on Western support for defense against Russian aggression during his address to NATO ministers.
He noted the current imbalance in air capabilities, with Russia having the advantage in airpower and relying on drones and rockets for attacks, while Ukraine’s ground capabilities are limited.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced NATO’s decision to provide Ukraine with additional weapons, including air defense systems, in response to the escalating Russian attacks.
Zelensky welcomed this support and highlighted the urgent need for more assistance in light of recent devastating strikes on Ukrainian cities, such as the recent attack in Chernigiv.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of the US House of Representatives’ vote on a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine, urging swift action.
He called for at least seven more air defense systems like the Patriot missiles, stating that they could save lives and improve the situation on the ground.
Earlier in the day, Zelensky visited frontline troops and inspected new defensive positions in Donetsk.
He also condemned Russia’s deliberate targeting of food export terminals at the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi, which resulted in the destruction of agricultural goods destined for Asian and African countries.
Zelensky characterized this as part of Russia’s strategy to inflict maximum damage on Ukraine and its trading partners.
Tragic Consequences of Russian Missile Strikes: Casualties and Destruction in Ukrainian Regions
Overnight missile strikes by Russia in the Dnipropetrovsk region caused damage to residential buildings and ignited a fire in one multi-story structure.
In the regional capital of Dnipro, rescue teams searched for survivors and casualties amid the wreckage throughout the day. Residents salvaged their belongings from destroyed apartments using backpacks and bags.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba reported on social media that two children were among the casualties—a 14-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy.
Kuleba emphasized the need to protect children from air strikes in modern Europe and called for a reliable air defense system.
The Ukrainian railway operator confirmed that train facilities were hit in the attack, resulting in seven employees being wounded and one female staff member killed.
In addition to the attacks in Dnipropetrovsk, Russian shelling in the southern Mykolaiv region and the eastern Sumy region claimed the lives of two individuals, according to local officials.
Downing of Russian Bomber: Aftermath and Search Efforts
The Ukrainian defense ministry’s main intelligence directorate reported that the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber, which Kyiv claimed to have shot down, crashed while returning to its base after launching missiles at Ukraine earlier in the night.
“We retaliated for our cities and civilians,” stated Ukrainian air force spokesman Ilya Yevlash.
Russian officials stated that the plane crashed over the southern Stavropol region. Although the pilots ejected, at least one crew member died, according to reports from state-run news agencies.
Stavropol governor Vladimir Vladimirov mentioned that two crew members were taken to a local medical center, and the search for the fourth pilot was ongoing.
The crash occurred in the Krasnogvardeysky district of the region, approximately 400 kilometers from the eastern edge of Crimea.
The Ukrainian intelligence directorate noted that the plane was “shot down about 300 kilometers from Ukraine. After being hit, the bomber managed to fly to the Stavropol area before crashing.”
