After the strike on Kyiv, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense called on NATO to urgently strengthen Ukraine's air defense
Kyiv • UNN
After a massive Russian attack on Kyiv, ministers Sybiha and Fedorov called on NATO to immediately transfer missiles for Patriot. They emphasized that protecting children from ballistic terror is the main message to the summit.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, after a massive Russian strike on Kyiv, stated that Ukraine's main message to the NATO summit should be the need to protect Ukrainian children from Russian ballistic terror.
Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov, in turn, emphasized that Ukraine needs missiles for Patriot systems now, not as part of future deliveries, reports UNN citing statements by the heads of the relevant ministries.
Details
On the night of July 6, Russia launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine. The main target of the strike was Kyiv.
According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy used 68 missiles and 351 UAVs of various types. Air defense forces neutralized 37 missiles and 326 drones.
At the same time, ballistic missiles have again become the main threat to civilians. These missiles are the most difficult to intercept without a sufficient number of Patriot systems and interceptor missiles for them.
Sybiha made a "main message" to the NATO summit: what he said
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha stated that Kyiv experienced a terrible night during which Russia used over 20 ballistic missiles.
Kyiv experienced a terrible night. Over 20 ballistic missiles. At least 11 dead and dozens wounded, including children. Protect Ukrainian children from Russian ballistic terror! There is no more urgent task. This is our main message to the NATO summit that will take place this week
According to him, world leaders heading to the NATO summit in Ankara must understand what families in the Ukrainian capital experienced that night.
As world leaders head to Ankara, I would like them to hear what families in Kyiv heard that night. One of the most brutal shellings using dozens of ballistic missiles. A terrible cannonade of loud explosions following one after another
Sybiha stressed that Russian troops targeted sleeping civilians, including residential high-rise buildings.
According to the minister, in one of the districts, a deceased family was pulled from the rubble: a mother, father, and child. He added that rescue operations are ongoing, so the number of victims may increase.
Putin's message to Ankara is simple: he will target ballistic missiles at sleeping children and continue the killings as long as he can. How will the Alliance leaders respond?
Ukraine expects real decisions on air defense
The Foreign Minister emphasized that the time for weak steps has passed, as they only encourage Moscow to continue the terror.
The time for weak steps has passed. They will only encourage Moscow to continue and spread terror beyond Ukraine. The most powerful outcome of the summit in Ankara should be strengthening Ukraine's ability to protect our children from Russian ballistic terror. We need real steps
Sybiha separately emphasized the need to transfer PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems to Ukraine.
PAC-3 missiles were created precisely to protect people from such barbarism. Thousands of such missiles are stored in warehouses around the world in case of potential threats. But the threats in Ukraine are not potential! Russian missiles kill people every week
He added that Ukraine is currently the only country in the world that suffers ballistic attacks every week.
The means of protection against this terror must be here. And we need all decisions on air defense now, not later. Because for us, time is measured in human lives
Fedorov: ballistics again struck civilians
Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov also stated that Russia is increasingly using ballistic missiles against residential buildings because it cannot achieve its goals on the battlefield.
"This night, Russia again launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine. Our air defense forces shot down almost all cruise missiles and over 90% of Shaheds. But ballistics again struck civilians.
Unable to achieve its goals on the battlefield, the enemy is increasingly directing ballistic missiles at residential buildings, killing civilians," Fedorov noted.
According to him, Russia is deliberately increasing the number of ballistic attacks and taking advantage of the acute shortage of missiles for Patriot systems.
"In a month, fewer such missiles are produced in the world than the enemy launches at Ukraine in the same period," the minister stated.
Ukraine asks partners to transfer missiles from warehouses
Fedorov reported that after talks between the President of Ukraine and European leaders, he will hold a series of negotiations with defense ministers of countries that have Patriot missiles in storage.
"We have already contracted and continue to contract Patriot missiles, deliveries of which will begin next year. Our appeal to partners is to transfer missiles from their stocks now, and later replace them with our future deliveries," he said.
The minister emphasized that the temporary allocation of missiles by partners from their warehouses could save the lives of Ukrainians.
"A simple solution for partners – to temporarily allocate these missiles from their warehouses – will save many lives of our citizens. We cannot allow cautious bureaucracy to become a barrier to protecting human life," Fedorov stated.
He stressed that Ukraine needs the missiles right now – in the Ukrainian air defense system.
"Our task is to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missiles as soon as possible. The protection of Ukrainian skies and the lives of our people depend on this," the minister added.
Context
Russia intensified massive air attacks on Ukraine ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara.
On the night of July 6, the enemy used dozens of missiles, including ballistic and hypersonic ones, as well as hundreds of attack drones.
Ukrainian air defense destroyed most of the drones and some missiles, but ballistic targets remain one of the most difficult threats to intercept.
Patriot systems are key to protection against ballistic missiles.
Ukraine has repeatedly called on partners to strengthen air defense and transfer additional interceptor missiles.
After previous massive attacks, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine also appealed to partners with a request to transfer Patriot missiles from existing stocks in exchange for future deliveries that have already been contracted for Ukraine.
Against the backdrop of the new attack, Kyiv again called on allies to make decisions without delay, as the shortage of Patriot missiles directly affects Ukraine's ability to protect civilians from Russian ballistic strikes.
Recall
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the urgent need for Ukraine for air defense after Russia's attack with over 400 drones and missiles on Kyiv. She promised more funding and expects an agreement on the 21st EU sanctions package in the coming days.