Matter of life and death: Zelenskyy urges G7 to bolster Ukraine's air defense

"Our air defense systems were active across almost the entire country, and it’s important that a significant number of drones and missiles were intercepted. This is thanks in large part to your countries, to those who are helping us with air defense systems and missiles for them. This support is truly a matter of life and death," Zelenskyy emphasized.

He stressed that Ukraine must continue receiving air defense systems and missiles and move toward localizing its production within the country.

"It is an urgent need to save lives. We're working now to develop and deploy interception drones – to protect our cities from Shaheds. Our cities – and, therefore, yours," he added.

At the same time, the President urged G7 leaders to provide additional funding for their production.

"New interceptors are important for Europe, for the Indo-Pacific, and for Japan, and Canada, and the United States," he concluded.

Russian strike on Ukraine on June 17

In the early hours of June 17, Russian forces launched yet another massive combined attack on Ukraine, using nearly 500 attack drones and dozens of missiles.

A Kh-101 missile strike in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district led to the collapse of an entire section of a nine-story residential building, while a nearby five-story building caught fire.

Additional damage was recorded in the Darnytskyi, Podilskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Sviatoshynskyi districts. In total, nearly 30 locations across the capital came under enemy fire that night.

At least 14 people were killed in Kyiv, with more than 100 others injured.

Russian troops also launched a massive morning strike on Odesa. Civilian infrastructure was targeted and damaged, including:

• residential buildings

• a kindergarten

• an inclusive education center

• garages

• and other facilities

Several fires broke out at multiple locations.

As a result of the Odesa attack, two people were killed and over 20 were wounded.