This is reported by Kyiv24
During the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasized the most pressing issue for the country – the shortage of air defense systems and munitions for them.
Critical Need for Air Defense and International Support
According to Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine is still experiencing a severe shortage of air defense systems, long-range missiles, artillery shells, armored vehicles, evacuation equipment, electronic systems, radars, and drones. He stressed the need to enhance cooperation among partners to achieve more significant results in the fight against Russian aggression.
“We are still critically lacking air defense systems and missiles for them. Long-range weapons, artillery shells, armored vehicles, evacuation equipment, electronic systems, radars, unmanned systems, and we must rely more on each other to achieve greater results together,” emphasized Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Night Air Attack and Consequences for Civilians
Denys Shmyhal, commenting on personnel changes in the ministry, noted that the transition within the Ministry of Defense would be smooth, and the main priority for Ukraine remains strengthening the air defense system. He highlighted the urgent need to procure American weapons, particularly Patriot PAC-3 missiles, and other munitions. This issue has become especially acute in light of another massive attack: on the night of July 21, Russia launched 24 missiles and 426 combat drones, which struck civilian targets and resulted in new casualties among the civilian population.
In the morning, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that at least 15 people were injured as a result of the night attack, two of whom died. Damage was recorded in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, in Kharkiv, and Ivano-Frankivsk. Additionally, strike drones were shot down in the Sumy, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Poltava, and Kherson regions.
The Ukrainian leadership once again calls on international partners for active support, emphasizing the need for rapid delivery of weapons and funding to enhance the country’s defense capabilities.