Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski told Monday that Iranian drones are behind the Russian attacks that took place on the night of December 18-19 on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
«Ukraine was again attacked by Iranian drones tonight,» Zelenski said during a videoconference meeting with leaders of the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
Zelenski has stressed that Iranian drones are constantly used by Russia during this war, mainly against energy facilities and other vital infrastructure.
On this last occasion, the Ukrainian president detailed, 34 kamikaze drones were used out of a batch of 250 pieces that the terrorist state», in reference to Russia, had received from Iran.
As a consequence of this last offensive, more than 20 million Ukrainians have been left without electricity, and the water and heating supply of another ten million people has also been interrupted, at a time when Ukraine is facing a cold winter.
For all these reasons, Zelenski has again insisted to his international partners to increase donations and supplies of weapons, especially air defense systems, tanks, and shells, Ukrinform agency reports.
«The more successful our defenses are, the sooner Russian aggression will collapse. Winter is now a really crucial time, when decisions can be made, the results of which will outline the restoration of our territorial integrity and ensure that Russian revanchism will never again cross the borders of Ukraine and, therefore, of Europe,» he asserted.
On the occasion of the Christmas holidays, Zelensky assured that Ukrainian children are asking St. Nicholas (the equivalent of Santa Claus) for air defense systems, weapons and victory over Russia.
«An air shield for Ukraine would be one of the most successful steps against Russian aggression,» Zelenski asked British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, while he asked Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Stere to continue artillery deliveries on a larger scale, and Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren for more and better tanks and other armored vehicles.
«Today, on St. Nicholas Day according to tradition in the east, Russian terrorists have once again hit Ukrainian children. I ask you to support our country at this moment with a clear decision: to provide everything that (…) can accelerate the triumph of our defense forces,» he has demanded.
In his special letter to St. Nicholas, Zelenski also asked the Finnish authorities to continue supplying anti-aircraft missile systems and fighter jets, and the Baltics to continue providing all the support they need.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
