Zelenskyj calls for more air defense and more support from allies

The defense against Iran’s attack on Israel shows many people in Ukraine how effective defense systems can be. But Ukraine has too little of it. President Zelenskyj feels abandoned by his allies.

At a bus stop in Chernihiv, northern Ukraine, passers-by captured the moment on their cell phones as Russian missiles hit the center of the city. A bullet rushes over people’s heads. They throw themselves on the ground.

Russia attacked with three missiles. 17 people were killed and 60 injured. The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense was unable to intercept the missiles – as is often the case.

Demand for further “Patriot” systems

Most recently, in Strasbourg at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, MP Oleksiy Honcharenko recalled: “A few days ago, one of the largest Ukrainian thermal power plants was destroyed by Russian missiles because the Ukrainian air defense lacked four missiles to stop the Russian attack,” he explained.

There were eleven Russian missiles, seven of which were intercepted because Ukraine had the corresponding missiles. “This power plant cost millions and was destroyed because four rockets were missing.” Ukraine wouldn’t ask for much, shouted the MP from the Ukrainian opposition. Ukraine would only ask for seven “Patriot” anti-aircraft systems, Honcharenko said. “Please do it now,” he emphasized his request.

Military expert: Potential for more weapons

The defense against the Iranian attack on Israel shows many people in Ukraine that effective protection against missiles and drone attacks is possible. Desperation in the country is also growing in view of the difficult situation at the front.

Military expert Taras Tschmut also sees Ukraine’s allies as having a duty. “Both NATO as an alliance and its individual members could do more.” They all have the potential to provide more weapons and more money. “Europe’s economy is many times stronger than Russia’s. With such allies we should win this war. But we are not winning it.”

Zelenskyj points to a precarious situation

The Ukrainian president was also frustrated. Volodymyr Zelenskyj has pointed out the precarious situation of Ukrainian air defense several times in the past few days. Israel’s support in defending against drones and missiles shows what the allies are capable of, said the Ukrainian president. He also called for support for the protection of Ukrainian civilians.

“We’ve heard all sorts of things in the last few days. There are different conflicts here in Europe and in the Middle East, different threats, different airspace.” But the drones and missiles are the same. “Are human lives different? Do people have different dignity? No, we value every life equally.”

“Western missiles are in short supply”

The NATO-Ukraine Council is scheduled to meet on Friday and discuss further support for air defense – as requested by Zelensky. Ukrainian air defense needs different systems to protect the country from combined Russian attacks, says Ilya Yevlash, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force.

“Western missiles are in short supply because Ukraine does not produce these missiles itself. Unfortunately, we are dependent on our allies in this regard,” he explains. The partners know what Ukraine needs and what resources are available to the country. “In order to be able to fulfill our tasks of protecting the airspace and energy facilities more effectively, we obviously need various air defense systems.”

Power outages and dead civilians

A combination of different systems and also combat aircraft is necessary, the spokesman continues. Jewlasch is convinced that this could successfully intercept Russian missiles and drones and protect civilians and critical infrastructure.

In the past few weeks, however, Russia managed to completely destroy two large thermal power plants. In Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, people are struggling with power outages. Countless civilians have been killed or injured by Russian missiles in recent weeks.