Zelensky does not back down/ He is again asking for anti-aircraft and a quick supply of weapons

2024-04-27 15:08:01, Kosova & Bota CNA

Zelensky does not back down/ He is again asking for anti-aircraft and a quick

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded again on Saturday to Kiev's allies for anti-aircraft and a quick supply of weapons, following a new massive Russian attack on Ukraine's energy sector.

Zelensky said that Ukraine needs a sufficient amount of anti-aircraft and other weapons to defend its cities and triumph against the Russian invader.

"Terror must always lose, and anyone who helps us face Russian terror is a true defender of life," Zelensky said on Saturday.

Kiev said on Saturday morning that Russia had carried out major attacks against its power plants overnight.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest energy company, said four of its power plants had been hit.

"The enemy again heavily bombarded Ukrainian energy facilities," DTEK said in a statement. "The company's equipment has been severely damaged. "Energy workers are working now to eliminate the consequences of the attack."

Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said the Russian attacks targeted the Dnipropetrovsk region in central Ukraine and the western regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles shot down 21 of 34 Russian missiles overnight, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force said on Saturday.

On Friday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States would rush to send Patriot anti-aircraft missiles and artillery munitions to Ukraine.

However, the Patriot anti-aircraft missiles will not be sent to Kiev, Austin said.

Speaking on Friday, Austin said the US is fulfilling its aid pledge with the largest military aid package for Ukraine to date, worth about $6 billion, and will move quickly to deliver it.

In addition to the Patriot missiles, the $6 billion package included more ammunition for the National Advanced Air-to-Surface Missile Systems (NASAMS), additional equipment to integrate Western anti-aircraft missiles, missiles and radars into Ukraine's existing armaments.

On Friday, Zelensky said that this year alone, Russian warplanes have used more than 9,000 aerial bombs against Ukraine.

"At least seven anti-aircraft 'Patriots' are needed to protect Ukrainian cities", he added./ VOA