Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhia cause devastation, prompting Zelenskyy's plea for a European air defense system
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a joint protection of European skies with a multilayered air defense system, as Russian forces continue to bombard civilian regions of Ukraine. The latest attack took place in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, where Russian forces bombarded the city with rockets overnight, killing at least one person and injuring dozens, including four children. The attack targeted more than 20 apartment buildings, causing fires. Zelenskyy stated that Russia's actions are possible due to a lack of economic pain. He has reiterated his call for more stringent economic sanctions on Russia. The war between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for more than three years since Moscow's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. During the past two weeks, Russia has launched over 3,500 drones, over 2,500 powerful glide bombs, and almost 200 missiles at targets inside Ukraine. Russian glide bombs, dropped by jets at high altitude, are a significant challenge for Ukrainian defenses due to their inaccuracy and ability to create large craters. Ukraine has no effective countermeasure against these bombs. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for investments, desire, strong actions, and decisions from all partners to implement the joint protection of European skies. He urged European leaders to make the continent safe. The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), Poland, and Finland have committed to a joint drone defense initiative ('Baltic Drone Wall') as part of their layered air defense efforts against Russia. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, France, Poland, and the USA contribute with Patriot systems, fighter jets, radars, and naval defenses in an integrated NATO air and missile defense system over European airspace. However, months of US-led peace talks and a settlement to end the war don't seem to be any closer despite President Donald Trump's ultimatums. Additionally, Russian drones have recently landed on Polish soil, leading to NATO beefing up its European air defenses. Russia also struck a civilian logistical facility in the Kyiv region and a National Pharmaceutical University in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, causing injuries. As the conflict continues with no respite from Russian strikes on civilian regions of Ukraine and its army's advance on the approximately 1,000-kilometer front line, Zelenskyy's call for a joint air defense system for Europe's skies gains urgency.
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