Ukrainian President Zelensky wants his country to have strong anti-aircraft defenses like Israel has. His hopes are primarily focused on a meeting next week in Ramstein.
In view of the difficult military situation in the fight against the Russian war of aggression, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has called for more decisive help from the West, as in the case of Israel. “Every time in the Middle East during the brutal Iranian attacks, we see the cooperation of the international coalition,” Zelensky said in his evening video address released in Kiev. He thanked all states that are helping to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. But more is possible.
“And we can achieve even greater effectiveness. We can put an end to Russian terror by shooting down Shahed drones, by launching missiles in cooperation,” said Zelensky, referring to Russian attacks also near the border of NATO member Romania . There, the Russian drones targeted civilian infrastructure, a ferry port, trucks and a grain warehouse.
It is necessary to convince our partners in the West to take steps that can radically and strategically change the military situation. This requires long-range weapons, said Zelensky. For months he has been demanding that the West release weapons for attacks on targets deep in the Russian hinterland in order to weaken Moscow in the war. “We really need that determination from our partners,” he stressed.
Injured after bomb hits residential area in Kharkiv
Meanwhile, a new Russian bomb attack on the Saltivka residential area in the north of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv injured at least ten people, including a three-year-old child. The bomb hit a five-story residential building, the Ukrainian rescue service said on Telegram that night. According to the information, the facade and several apartments on the upper floors were severely damaged. A fire broke out. Several cars also caught fire.
In the evening, Zelenskyj published a video of the incident on the social network X, which showed, among other things, severe destruction and a burning car.
Rescue workers are on duty to search for other possible victims, it said. “In order for such Russian attacks to stop, Ukraine must receive the necessary and, above all, sufficient support from the world, from partners,” said Zelensky. The country’s leaders know exactly what needs to be done and must act even more decisively, he said.
Zelenskyj: Difficult situation in Donetsk region
After talks with the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Olexander Syrskyj, the President once again admitted that the situation was difficult for the military, especially in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian army had previously confirmed the loss of the strategically important and long-contested city of Vuhledar.
The President emphasized in Kiev that preparations are now being made at all levels and in every area in order to achieve maximum results this autumn. A large meeting of the Ukraine support group is planned for October 12th in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate. According to Zelensky, Ukraine wants to explain what opportunities still exist. He also provided information about personnel changes in the foreign secret service in order to further strengthen it.
Zelensky meets USAID head again
In Kiev, Zelenskyj met again with the head of the USAID Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, with whom he had only held talks about the reconstruction of the country in the USA at the end of September. The current meeting was about strengthening Ukraine’s energy system and building shelters for school children, he also said on the social network X.
Many children study in underground classrooms because of the Russian bombings. According to its own statements, Ukraine needs help in repairing the energy infrastructure that was destroyed after Russian attacks, especially in preparation for the winter.
“We greatly appreciate all of the United States’ support for Ukraine – military, political, economic and humanitarian,” Zelensky said at the meeting with Power. “Together we defend not only Ukraine, but every nation that wants to live in freedom, democracy and peace.”
Zelenskyj: Weapons production is growing significantly
After a meeting with top representatives of defense companies in Kiev, Zelensky announced further cooperation with the companies to strengthen the Ukrainian defense sector. Weapons production has shown considerable growth since the Russian invasion began more than two and a half years ago, he said.
“We need foreign expertise, access to supply chains and technology to continue this growth,” Zelensky said. He had repeatedly announced that he wanted to make the country one of the world’s leading arms producers. Russia, on the other hand, has stated that the aim of the war is to “demilitarize” the neighboring country that is striving to join NATO.
According to Zelensky, representatives from more than 30 countries and almost 300 companies came to Kiev to take part in the second international defense industry forum. Ukraine had recently significantly expanded its drone production in order to also hit targets on Russian territory. Large Russian ammunition and fuel depots have recently been destroyed again and again.