Zelenskyy Urges Allies to Bolster Ukraine’s Air Defenses After Russia Targets Energy Grid
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Ukraine’s Western partners to urgently strengthen the country’s air defense systems, saying that only superior protection can stop Russia’s escalating attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Zelenskyy’s post on social media.
According to the Ukrainian president, Russia launched 96 attack drones overnight, most of which were intercepted, but some hit power facilities and civilian sites across several regions.
“Tonight, Russia’s air terror against our cities and our infrastructure has continued once again. The main targets are our energy facilities,” he stated.
The president reported that Russian aerial bombs struck a hospital in Kharkiv, injuring 57 people, calling it “a cynical, terrorist strike on a place where lives are being saved.”
He added that energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, and Kirovohrad regions also came under attack. In the Kirovohrad region, rail infrastructure was damaged in two settlements.
Emergency crews and utility workers are continuing restoration operations in all affected areas, Zelenskyy said, thanking those involved in the recovery effort.
The Ukrainian president urged Ukraine’s partners to deliver more Patriot, NASAMS, and SAMP/T systems, arguing that the only way to end Russia’s “air terror” is to close Ukraine’s skies to missiles, drones, and guided bombs.
“Every day and every night, Russia attacks power plants, transmission lines, and gas facilities,” he said. “The world can deprive Moscow of the ability to carry out these brutal assaults. Our partners know exactly what is needed.”
He stressed that the United States, European allies, and G7 members must act decisively to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Zelenskyy said that once Ukraine has sufficient air defense coverage, Russia’s aerial attacks will lose their effectiveness. “The world must force Moscow to sit down for real negotiations. Only peace through strength can bring results,” he added.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on October 10, Russia unleashed a massive overnight barrage on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, plunging parts of Kyiv into darkness and disrupting water supplies.