Moscow: As Russia launched a massive aerial bombardment on Ukraine on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European nations to help down drones and missiles used in the latest attack on his country.
Kyiv was shaken by seven explosions as Ukraine issued a nationwide alert warning against Russian aerial attacks, reported AFP. At least five people were reported to be killed in Lutsk, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia regions.
In a video message on social media, Zelensky said a Russian barrage hit Ukraine with more than 100 missiles and around 100 drones, including in several western regions neighbouring or near European countries.
“It was one of the largest strikes – a combined one. More than a hundred missiles of various types and about a hundred ‘shaheds’ (drones). In our various regions of Ukraine, we could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbours worked together with our F-16s and together with our air defence,” Zelensky said.
“If such unity has worked so well in the Middle East, it should work in Europe as well. Life has the same value everywhere,” he added, most probably referring to the US helping Israel shoot down Iranian projectiles recently.
Not for the first time, Zelensky urged Ukraine’s allies to drop restrictions on use of long-range weapons, which his country wants to use to launch strikes deeper inside Russian territory.
“America, Britain, France, and other partners have the power to help us stop terror,” Zelensky remarked.
