Dear Ukrainians!
Currently, work is still ongoing in Kyiv at the site of the house strike – a Russian missile strike, a residential building literally demolished, floors from the first to the ninth. They are searching for people under the rubble, finding out the fate of those whose fate is still unknown, but who could have been in that house. As of now, we know that in total 10 people died in Kyiv from the Russian massive attack. Forty-five people were injured. Over two days of virtually continuous airstrikes, the Russians used more than one and a half thousand drones and 56 missiles of various types. There were hits in most of our regions: from Transcarpathia to Kharkiv region. Frankivsk, Rivne, Volyn, Odesa region, Poltava region, Sumy region. Dozens of people were injured. Unfortunately, there were also deaths. My condolences to the families of all those who died as a result of these Russian strikes.
We are finding out in detail what kind of weapons – what kind of missiles and drones – the Russians used this time. In Kyiv, according to preliminary data, a house was hit by an Kh-101 missile. Production is in the second quarter of this year. And this means that Russia is still importing components for the production of missiles, the necessary resources and equipment, bypassing global sanctions. This should be a real goal of all our partners – to stop Russian schemes for bypassing sanctions. We are preparing steps that can intensify our joint countermeasures – sanctions should be more painful for Russia.
Today at the Headquarters, together with our military, the ministers of defense, energy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, and representatives of the special services, we also discussed the response to this two-day attack. First: the level of our air defense and, accordingly, the level of shooting down is quite high. Regarding drones - 93%. Of course, it needs to be higher, and we discussed today what measures in the regions can contribute to this. I have identified very specific tasks for both radars and other equipment. It is important that the construction of our system of countering "shaheeds" and other drones proceeds without pauses. Regarding missiles, the task is more difficult, especially in terms of anti-ballistics. Protection against ballistic missiles is a daily priority, and Ukrainian diplomats must demonstrate daily results, daily results in appropriate communication with our partners. The PURL program requires new steps now, on the verge of spring and summer. I am grateful to all our partners in Europe who have started the creation of an anti-ballistic coalition. This is really the strongest solution - for Europe to have its own sufficient production of air defense systems and missiles for them, and specifically against ballistics. The potential to counter other challenges in Europe already exists, is being scaled up, and on anti-ballistics, we all need much more cooperation in Europe and other speeds - the speed of implementing our agreements.
One more thing.
Today in Ukraine we had important meetings. Representatives of Germany – the head of the Federal Chancellor’s office and the head of German intelligence. A good productive conversation, and there are things that can definitely be the results of our communication. Our format of work in Europe E3 – Germany, France, Britain – we will make even more meaningful, we are planning relevant meetings. I want to thank Germany for its readiness to continue to help us in protecting people’s lives. We discussed how Ukraine can be strengthened by the European support package of 90 billion euros, the approach of our accession to the EU.
There was a strong American delegation today - we work with America at all levels. The White House, Congress, the political community, the American corporate sector and civil society. And today, in Ukraine, representatives of the Hudson Institute were, in particular, - I am grateful to them for this visit. It is worth seeing and feeling what Ukrainians are going through, what our country is going through. I am grateful for the support. America does not forget about Ukraine and definitely remembers that this war of Russia against Ukraine must be ended, and it must be ended with dignity. I thank everyone who helps us! I thank everyone who is with us, who is with Ukraine, who is with Ukrainians!
Glory to Ukraine!