Zelenskyy: Lack of Patriot missiles is emboldening Russia to strike
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Russia's overnight attack on Ukraine on August 1 once again showed that even modern air defense systems cannot fully protect the country without an adequate supply of interceptor missiles, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the president, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine overnight.
Russia used 35 missiles, including 27 ballistic missiles, as well as 185 attack drones of various types. Kyiv was the main target of the attack.
Zelenskyy explained that Ukrainian air defenses were able to shoot down only one ballistic missile because there were not enough interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.
"Only one ballistic missile was intercepted, simply because there are no interceptors for the Patriot systems. And it is this shortage of ballistic missile interceptors that only encourages Russia to launch such attacks that take human lives," the president stressed.
The head of state urged international partners to speed up deliveries of air and missile defense systems to Ukraine.
"It is critical that partners hear that these capabilities are needed not somewhere in stockpiles for hypothetical scenarios, but here and now, to contain and stop the Russian war in Ukraine. Every package of ballistic missile interceptors saves the lives of our people. And every night without them results in more casualties," Zelenskyy concluded.
On the night of August 1, Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region.
The attack killed nine people and injured 30 others, including four children.
Damage and fires were reported in five districts of the capital — Solomianskyi, Darnytskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Dniprovskyi and Pecherskyi.
The attack also damaged the building of the Lithuanian Embassy in Ukraine.
