Russia amass large missile stockpile ahead of winter - NATO Secretary General
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Getty Images)
We must not underestimate Russia, which has transferred its economy to military rails. Before winter, the Kremlin had accumulated a large arsenal of missiles to attack Ukraine, in particular energy facilities, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says at a press conference in Brussels.
"We must not underestimate Russia. Russia's economy is on a war footing. Putin has a high tolerance for casualties. And Russian aims in Ukraine have not changed. Russia has amassed a large missile stockpile ahead of winter. And we see new attempts to strike Ukraine's power grid and energy infrastructure, trying to leave Ukraine in the dark and cold," he says.
The NATO Secretary General welcomed the decisions of the Alliance members, who continue to strengthen the air defense of Ukraine.
"Last week, 20 NATO allies agreed to form an air defense coalition for Ukraine. This will help protect Ukraine's Armed Forces and cities. And save Ukrainian lives," Stoltenberg states.
Air defense for Ukraine
Recently, Ukraine's partners created another coalition to strengthen air defense.
At the same time, Ukraine has already received the entire nomenclature list of air defense, which was agreed with Western partners. But these systems are needed more in number. In particular, according to Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat, Ukraine needs more such systems as Patriot, SAMP/T IRIS-T, and NASAMS to protect the country and those objects that the enemy will try to attack and destroy. In particular, a multi-level air defense system has been built around Kyiv, consisting of various types of weapons. At the same time, no air defense system, including the capital, guarantees full protection.
At the same time, according to Zelenskyy, the most difficult situation with air defense is in the regions of Ukraine bordering the Russian Federation and Belarus. This also applies to frontline and occupied regions.
