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After weeks of pleading, Ukraine should receive more anti-aircraft defenses. President Zelenskyj appears satisfied, but remains cautious. The news at a glance.
Kiev – NATO has promised Ukraine further urgently needed air defense systems, but has not initially given any specific delivery dates. Accordingly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj expressed only cautious satisfaction after the defense alliance's decision. “We in Ukraine appreciate the efforts of every leader, every state that is really active, keeping its promises and trying to improve the capabilities of our air defense,” Zelensky said in his daily video address, which this time was exceptionally brief.
NATO defense ministers had previously promised Ukraine the delivery of additional air defense systems at a crisis meeting with Zelensky. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this following the discussions held via video conference in Brussels. “The NATO defense ministers have agreed to increase and further expand their military support, including in the area of air defense,” he said.
The Norwegian initially did not say which states had made the commitments after the meeting of the so-called NATO-Ukraine Council. Specific announcements should therefore be made by individual member states in the next few days. According to Stoltenberg, countries that do not have available air defense systems themselves agreed to provide financial support for the purchase of systems for Ukraine. Just last weekend, the federal government promised Ukraine the delivery of a third Patriot air defense system from German stocks.
“Ukraine needs air defense, and our partners can help,” Zelensky said. “We need artillery, and the world has it.” Only a sufficient number of anti-aircraft systems and fighter aircraft could protect Ukraine from Russian air attacks. Zelenskyj's credo: “Solutions are necessary, solutions are possible.”
Zelenskyj: At least seven Patriot systems necessary
Zelenskyj gave specific figures during his video link with the participants of the NATO-Ukraine Council. His country currently needs at least seven more Patriot systems or similar anti-aircraft support. “And that’s the minimum number,” he said. “Our positions on the battlefield need real protection from air strikes.” This also applies to the cities in the Ukrainian hinterland. He recalled the Russian rocket attacks on the city of Dnipro on Friday morning and on facilities in the Odessa port of Pivdennyj.
Since the beginning of the year, Russia has fired more than 1,200 missiles at targets in Ukraine, Zelensky said. In addition, more than 1,500 Iranian-made combat drones were deployed. Despite all the difficulties, the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense managed to shoot down most of them. But at the same time, the Russian Air Force used over 8,500 glide bombs, said Zelensky – and there is currently no antidote against them.
Ukraine also needs at least one million artillery shells. “They must finally be delivered to the front,” demanded the Ukrainian head of state. He and his leading military officers have been complaining about a lack of ammunition for weeks. For this reason, Ukrainian troops had to repeatedly abandon positions and retreat from Russian units. The Czech government launched an initiative weeks ago to find artillery shells for Ukraine in various countries.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) called on the international community to immediately deliver more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine in view of the advance of Russian occupation troops. “Now there is a gap, but this gap is finite,” said the Vice Chancellor in the ZDF “heute-journal” after a visit to Ukraine in Moldova. “It's a really tense situation at the moment. That means all countries that can help must help now, not in five months or ten months.” He hoped that the USA would agree to make part of its 60 Patriot anti-aircraft systems available to Ukraine .
President at the front again
Zelensky inspected the fronts and defensive positions in eastern Ukraine on Friday. He visited a command point in the Donetsk region near the embattled city of Chasiv Yar. He said on Telegram that he had been informed about the situation. The small town of Chassiv Yar is considered the next target of the Russian army. The front runs a few kilometers from the city center. Chasiv Yar is not far from the city of Bakhmut, which was taken by the Russians almost a year ago after heavy fighting.
At the end of his visits to the front, Zelenskyj came to Dnipro. There he also inquired about the security situation and protective measures for the city's critical infrastructure. “It is very important that everyone who needs help now receives it,” he wrote on Telegram. “And we are working with our partners to provide additional air defense systems for Ukraine.” Recently, Dnipro has been the target of Russian air and missile attacks on several occasions.
Heavy fighting near Avdiivka
Russian and Ukrainian troops fought heavy fighting on Friday in the area around the city of Avdiivka, which was captured by Russian forces weeks ago. While Russian military officials reported successful advances through the Ukrainian front lines, the Ukrainian military leadership spoke of successful defensive battles with high losses for the Russian side. The claims could not be independently verified.
That will be important on Saturday
The US Congress may want to decide on a billion-dollar military aid package for Ukraine on Saturday after months of blockage due to internal Republican power struggles. Kiev urgently needs aid worth 61 billion dollars (57 billion euros). dpa
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