Ukraine is urgently seeking military assistance and air defense systems in response to escalating Russian aggression, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized, expressing frustration with allies for prolonged deliberations and neglect.
Russian military strikes targeted five Ukrainian regions, resulting in casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure, including power facilities and substations, Ukrainian officials reported on Thursday.
Zelenskyy highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting over 40 missile launches and approximately 40 attack drones deployed by Russia overnight, with a significant focus on energy infrastructure. Stressing the critical need for air defense, he warned against allowing Russian missiles and Iranian-designed drones to penetrate Ukrainian territory.
In Odesa, Governor Oleh Kiper reported on Wednesday night that Russian missile attacks claimed the lives of four individuals, including a young girl, and left several others critically injured. However, the region's air defense systems successfully intercepted seven Iranian-designed attack drones near vital energy infrastructure, preventing further damage, Kiper confirmed on Thursday morning.
Further northeast in Kharkiv, Governor Oleg Sinegubov mourned the loss of two women and a 14-year-old girl following a missile strike on Wednesday afternoon, sharing images of rescuers amidst rubble. Additional assaults occurred throughout Kharkiv, including a drone strike causing injuries and a missile attack targeting energy facilities.
Kharkiv, situated just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has been repeatedly targeted since the onset of Russia's invasion in February 2022, with more than 10 missiles striking the region and leaving over 200,000 residents without power.
Despite attacks on infrastructure in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Lviv, no casualties were reported, local authorities confirmed. Zelenskyy condemned the continued assaults, warning of the broader implications if Ukrainian resolve and international support falter.
Addressing a regional security summit in Lithuania, Zelenskyy underscored the threat posed by Russian aggression not only to Ukraine but to neighboring nations and global adherence to international law. During the summit, Ukraine secured a 10-year bilateral security agreement with Latvia, outlining Latvia's commitment to provide annual military support equivalent to 0.25% of its GDP.
Meanwhile, in the United States, President Joe Biden urged the House of Representatives to promptly vote on a $60 billion Ukraine aid bill, emphasizing bipartisan backing for Ukrainian assistance. In response to the escalating crisis, Ukraine's parliament passed legislation aimed at restructuring army mobilization rules, allowing for better assessment of available manpower and extending military service indefinitely for soldiers engaged since the invasion began. General Yuriy Sodol emphasized the urgent need for reinforcements, highlighting the significant disparity between Ukrainian and Russian forces in eastern regions.
Echoing concerns, General Christopher Cavoli warned Congress that without increased support, Ukraine could face overwhelming odds against Russian forces in a matter of weeks.
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