Zelenskyy plans new talks to bolster air defense for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: facebook.com_zelenskyy.official)
Ukraine is stepping up diplomatic efforts to secure new air defense packages and respond to Russian strikes, according to a statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Diplomacy, air defenses boosting
The head of state said Ukraine continues active diplomatic efforts to protect the country and its citizens.
"This week, we will have new contacts with mediators, specifically regarding the steps and proposals that are needed. Ukraine is always active in diplomacy. There will be new contacts to secure air defense packages too – to protect our country and our people," the president said.
Energy situation, strikes aftermath
Restoration work continues in Odesa following the overnight attack. As of morning, more than 300,000 households remained without electricity, but power had already been restored to one-third of them.
Other regions of Ukraine also came under Russian attack:
- Kharkiv city and region
- Pavlohrad
- Kherson
- Sumy region
- Zhytomyr region.
All relevant services and repair crews are working to provide practical assistance to residents and restore supplies.
Response to Russia, strikes on oil refineries
Zelenskyy also said he had spoken with Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi about protecting cities and stressed that every Russian strike would receive a response. The war will be felt increasingly directly inside Russia.
The Armed Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) continue operations targeting Russian oil refining. Russian air defense systems, radar stations, and infrastructure in the Azov and Black Sea regions have also been hit.
Patriot production in Ukraine
Previously, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that due to bureaucracy, setting up production of Patriot air defense systems in Ukraine under US licenses would take between 12 months and several years.
At the same time, Ukraine and the United States agreed that the US would supply Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine every month. However, according to the president, even that amount will still not be enough to fully meet Ukraine's air defense needs.
