War in Ukraine - Selenskyj expects stronger air defense in July
Kiev (dpa) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects a strengthening of air defense in his country against Russian air raids in July. Promised F-16 fighter jets of the type in sufficient quantity and quality, Patriot missile systems, and rockets with greater range could have a decisive impact on the course of the war, Zelenskyy said in his Monday evening video address in Kiev. The Ukraine can still receive more protection of its airspace from aggressor Russia in this month.
Zelenskyy has been calling for months for more support from Western allies in protecting the airspace from Russian bombs, missiles, and drones. The country is on the way to achieving real security, the president added. Several countries have promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and have also trained Ukrainian pilots on the aircraft. Russia sees this as a new escalation in the war.
"This month can bring more strength to Ukraine, especially in protecting our airspace and achieving real security for our land," Zelenskyy said. The country primarily relies on the United States as an ally.
Zelenskyj thanks US delegation in Kiev for support
During a meeting with representatives of the US Congress in Kiev, Zelenskyj thanked Washington for continued support in the defense against Russian aggression. "It is very important to have unwavering faith that this Russian war and all of Putin's hostile intentions must be defeated," he said. This requires not only the courage of the Ukrainians, but also that of their Western partners.
Zelenskyj said that decisions had been made on fundamental issues to inflict greater losses on the logistics and equipment of the occupiers and to crush Moscow's hopes for expanding the war. "For Russia, all this must end in defeat – and only then will this entire idea of a war against Ukraine be defeated," Zelenskyj said.
Republican Mike Turner of the US Congress, during a meeting with Zelenskyj, said that Washington supports the people in Ukraine in their fight for democracy. He hinted that discussions had taken place about possible strikes by Ukrainian forces with US rockets against positions on Russian territory. No details were provided.
Zelenskyj is counting on additional Patriot deliveries
Zelenskyj said that the US does not only help with weapons, but also with financial support for the country's economy. Once again, he emphasized that the country primarily needs more help in air defense. "This is extremely important because the Patriot systems help us save lives and protect infrastructure. We are counting on receiving additional deliveries of these systems in the future," Zelenskyj said.
Ukraine has been defending itself with Western support against the Russian offensive war for over two years. Russia has occupied wide areas in the east and south of Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion on February 24, 2022.
Moscow announces further territorial gains
Russia's offensive war in Ukraine is coming to a halt more and more in position battles. The Russian military claims to have captured two settlements in eastern Ukraine. Units of the "West" grouping are said to have captured the settlement of Stepova Nowoselivka in the Charkiw region and taken better positions, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow in its situation report. In addition, the settlement of Nowopokrovske is said to have been captured. Kiev has not officially confirmed the loss of the two settlements yet. Independent sources could not verify the statements.
However, the defense ministry-affiliated portal Deepstate has partially confirmed the success reports from Moscow. Nowopokrovske is already marked as occupied there for some time. Russian troops are advancing there after the fall of Avdiivka, which the Ukrainians had fortified.
Stepova Nowoselivka near the small town of Kupyansk in the Charkiw region, on the other hand, is still marked as under Ukrainian control on Deepstate. The Russian army has been trying to retake the strategically important railway junction, which they lost during the Ukrainian counter-offensive in the fall of 2022, for months.
- Zelenskyy mentioned that F-16 fighter jets, Patriot missile systems, and longer-range rockets could significantly impact the ongoing war against Russia, strengthening Ukraine's air defense in July.
- The Ukrainian president has been urging Western allies for months to provide more support in protecting Ukraine's airspace from Russian bombs, missiles, and drones.
- During a meeting with US Congress representatives in Kiev, President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the continued support against Russian aggression and emphasized the need for unwavering faith in defeating Putin's hostile intentions.
- Republican Mike Turner of the US Congress suggested potential discussions about Ukrainian strikes with US rockets on Russian positions, though no specific details were given.
- Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of more air defense aid, specifically additional Patriot deliveries, stating that these systems help save lives and protect crucial infrastructure.
- Russia claimed to have captured two settlements in eastern Ukraine, Stepova Nowoselivka and Nowopokrovske, but Kiev and independent sources have not yet officially confirmed these losses.
