Zelenskyy instructs Defence Minister to strengthen Ukraine’s airspace protection

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov to intensify efforts to strengthen the protection of the country’s airspace, saying that “relevant decisions are being prepared”.

Zelenskyy made the statement following a special energy conference, during which he received reports on the consequences of recent Russian strikes and discussed measures aimed at increasing the resilience of Ukrainian cities and communities.

The President said repair crews, the State Emergency Service, energy companies and municipal services are working nationwide. The most critical situation remains in Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.

After a nighttime attack on the Kyiv region, additional emergency responses were required in Hostomel, Bucha and Irpin, with all necessary services mobilised to deal with the aftermath. Zelenskyy added that the situation in Odesa is expected to stabilise during the day.

Separate reports also covered Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

The President stressed the urgent need to increase electricity imports and to secure additional equipment from international partners, noting that all necessary decisions have already been taken and that imports must be boosted immediately.

Zelenskyy also revealed that, as of yesterday morning, Ukraine had several air defence systems without missiles, though the required ammunition has since arrived. At the same time, the Defence Ministry has stated that Ukraine still needs additional missiles for Patriot and NASAMS air defence systems to protect critical infrastructure from large-scale Russian attacks.