Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky revealed that a lack of air defenses left Ukraine vulnerable to a recent Russian airstrike that targeted the Trypilska power plant in the Kyiv region. The attack, which involved 11 missiles fired by Russia, resulted in the destruction of the largest power plant in the area.
Zelensky explained that while Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted the first seven missiles, they were unable to stop the remaining four, leading to the devastating destruction of the power plant. The President emphasized the critical shortage of missiles in Ukraine, stating that they had completely run out during the attack.
Despite repeated warnings from Zelensky about the dwindling air defense capabilities in Ukraine, a much-needed military aid package from the United States has been stalled in Congress, primarily due to opposition from House Republicans. Zelensky highlighted the recent thwarted attack on Israel by Iran, where Western countries, including the US, UK, France, and Jordan, successfully defended Israel using advanced air defense systems.
Expressing concern over the lack of similar support for Ukraine, Zelensky questioned why Israel, a non-NATO country, received comprehensive assistance from NATO allies while Ukraine struggled to secure vital military aid. The President urged Congress to prioritize the approval of the pending $60 billion US funding package, warning that Ukraine's ability to win the war against Russia hinged on receiving crucial support.
As Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for military aid to counter Russia's significant advantage in artillery shells, he criticized the political divisions within Congress that were hindering the approval of essential funding. The President stressed that the lives of Ukrainian citizens were at stake and urged lawmakers to set aside political considerations in favor of supporting countries facing imminent threats.
With the fate of Ukraine's defense hanging in the balance, Zelensky reiterated the critical importance of international support in ensuring the country's ability to resist Russian aggression and protect its sovereignty.
