Situation at a glance - Selensky sees air defense strengthened thanks to Germany
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Germany for the delivery of the third Patriot air defense system. "This is great news," Zelenskyy said in Kyiv. He also thanked the USA for further steps to strengthen Ukrainian air defense.
Zelenskyy did not provide details but said that the country's partners had fulfilled their commitments. "Ukraine has already shown that it has no Russian rockets that we cannot shoot down," Zelenskyy said. The country is doing everything to make Russian terror end.
He also met with missile manufacturers working on countermeasures against Russian aggression. "This is a matter of global stability and security, so that everyone in the Kremlin knows that they won't get away with it," he added.
Ukraine received its first modern US-made Patriot air defense system in April last year. Ukrainian air defense reportedly intercepted Russian hypersonic missiles and ballistic missiles with it. Kiev is said to currently possess over four systems. More were reportedly offered by Romania.
President Zelenskyy originally named at least seven such systems for a reliable protection of major cities such as Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Odessa. He regularly urges Ukraine's allies for further support in air defense.
Russia has been bombarding its neighbor in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine for over two years. Through rocket and drone attacks, there have been extensive damage to infrastructure, as well as casualties and injuries. There was another air alarm alert in the early hours of Saturday.
Governor of Donetsk: Five Dead in Russian Attack
Russian forces reportedly attacked the Ukrainian-controlled town of Selydove in the east of Ukraine with two guided bombs. At least five people were killed in the attack, according to statements by the military governor of the contested region of Donetsk, Vadym Filaschkin, and the prosecutor's office. There were at least eleven injured, they added. The two bombs were said to have targeted the grounds of a business. The information could not be independently verified.
Zelenskyy announces steps to address energy crisis
In a video message, Zelenskyy announced a comprehensive package of measures to resolve the energy crisis in the country. He did not provide specifics but said that officials would soon present steps on how citizens and businesses could be supported during power outages. As an example, he mentioned new credit programs with interest-free offers. "Everything should work as quickly as possible," he said.
Negotiations were also ongoing with European partners to increase imported electricity supplies. In parallel, repairs were being carried out on infrastructure. Many power plants and other energy infrastructure have been destroyed and damaged by Russian attacks. Due to the energy deficit, power outages continue to occur.
White House: Orban's trip to Moscow is "counterproductive"
In his video statement, Zelenskyy did not address the visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow at the Kremlin with Vladimir Putin. The European Union and the German government, as well as the USA, criticized the trip, which Orban presented as a peace mission. The US government expressed "concern." Orban's behavior towards Ukraine, regarding its sovereignty and democracy, was "counterproductive" and did not contribute to peace in the country attacked by Russia, according to the spokesperson for US President Joe Biden, Karine Jean-Pierre.
"Russia could still end this war today by giving up its attack against Ukraine, its sovereignty, and its democracy," Jean-Pierre added. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry sharply criticized Orban's talks with Putin and reminded that there could be no decision regarding Ukraine without Ukraine. Zelenskyy had received Orban for his first visit to Kiev since the start of the war on Tuesday.
Orban's surprise visit to Moscow, accompanied by harsh criticism from EU representatives, western politicians, and Ukraine, took place. The EU emphasized that Orban did not have an official mandate for negotiations with Russia.
Zelenskyy aligns himself with the new British prime minister before the NATO summit
In the coming week, the NATO summit is scheduled in Washington. The heads of state and government of the 32 member states of the defense alliance plan to discuss, among other things, the Ukraine war and the strengthening of their deterrence and defense capabilities. Ukraine aspires to join the military alliance but currently has no prospect of admission.
Zelenskyy shared that he had coordinated with the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer before the NATO meeting. According to a statement on social media platform X, Zelenskyy congratulated Starmer on his victory in the election in Great Britain. The new prime minister had promised Ukraine unwavering support from the United Kingdom through the new London government.
- Germany's support in delivering the third Patriot air defense system is greatly appreciated by Ukraine, mentioned President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
- Zelenskyy acknowledges Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, which has lasted for over two years, resulting in extensive infrastructure damage and casualties.
- The Ukrainian President thanked the USA for their efforts to strengthen Ukraine's air defense, with specific mention of further steps being taken.
- The Governor of Donetsk, Vadym Filaschkin, reported five deaths and eleven injuries due to a Russian attack on the Ukrainian-controlled town of Selydove.
- After receiving the first modern US-made Patriot air defense system last year, Ukraine is now reportedly in possession of over four such systems, with more offered by Romania.
- Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's allies for further support in air defense, naming several major cities including Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Odessa in need of reliable protection.
- The White House criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Moscow as "counterproductive," expressing concern over Orban's stance towards Ukraine's sovereignty and democracy.
- In his video message, Zelenskyy announced measures to address the energy crisis in the country, mentioning new credit programs and ongoing negotiations with European partners for increased electricity supplies.
- Coordinating with the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy aligned himself with the UK's unwavering support before the upcoming NATO summit, scheduled in Washington.
