Baltic Nations Condemn Russia's Rocket Attack on Ukraine, Urge Strengthening of Ukrainian Air Defense
Presidents of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have issued statements condemning today's massive rocket attack by Russia on Ukraine, during which aggressors launched around a hundred ballistic and cruise missiles (including hypersonic ones) and several dozen unmanned combat aerial vehicles.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda specifically called on partners to promptly supply more air defence systems to Ukraine. "The loss of civilians, destruction, and Kremlin's terrorism persist. Ukrainians are doing wonders with the air defense provided by the West, but they need more. Air defence systems for Ukraine now!" he urged on Twitter, sharing a video of the aftermath of Russian missile strikes on civilian infrastructure and the work of Ukrainian rescuers.
Latvian President Egils Levits also emphasized the immediate need to aid Ukraine. He praised the work of the Ukrainian air defence and added, "This morning, another series of brutal Russian airstrikes on Kyiv took place. Innocent civilians again fell victim to Russian terrorism. Ukrainian air defence is working well, but Ukraine needs more help. New Year celebrations are over, and the West must get serious and act immediately," he wrote on Twitter.
Estonian President Alar Karis, in turn, labelled Russia's massive rocket attack on January 2 as a crime against humanity. "Again, a barbaric mass rocket attack against the peaceful population of Ukraine. This is a crime against humanity that will not go unpunished at the international tribunal. The air defence means supplied by the West are doing their job and helping save lives. Let's move to a new stage in our support to help Ukraine," urged the Estonian president.
Recall that on the night of January 2, Russia carried out another massive rocket attack on Ukraine. According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, the aerial assault lasted nearly 6 hours. Initially, the Russian army released about a dozen "Shahed" UAVs over the Ukrainian capital. Following this, over a dozen Tu-95MS strategic bombers launched waves of cruise missiles X-101/X-555/X-55. Simultaneously, as the missiles approached Kyiv, over ten MiG-31K aircraft launched air-to-air missiles X-47M2 "Kinzhal" towards the capital.