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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited frontline troops in eastern Ukraine and discussed strengthening the country’s air defences with Finnish President Alexander Stubb following a new wave of Russian strikes.
According to Zelenskyy, he visited the command post of the 66th Separate Mechanised Brigade on the Lyman front in the eastern Donetsk region on Wednesday. He presented state awards and discussed the unit’s operations and needs.
The brigade is operating alongside other units of the Third Army Corps as part of Operation Vivaldi. Zelenskyy said the forces had restored Ukrainian control over more than 125 square kilometres (48 square miles) of territory.
Russian strikes kill at least four
Zelenskyy said he also spoke by phone with Stubb about strengthening Ukraine’s defences after “a new escalation of attacks” against cities and communities.
Ukrainian officials reported at least four deaths in overnight Russian attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding region. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said three people were killed in the capital, while emergency services reported that a child died in Vyshgorod.
“Almost throughout the entire day, since the night, air raid alerts have continued in Kyiv and other cities and regions, with a constant threat from jet-powered Shaheds. There were also ballistic strikes at night,” Zelenskyy said.
Talks focus on F-16s and air defence
The Ukrainian and Finnish presidents discussed ways to reinforce Ukraine’s defences, including the provision and use of F-16 fighter jets and enhanced air-defence capabilities, Zelenskyy said.
The attacks have also affected economic activity. Oleksandr Kravchenko, Ukraine’s economy and environment minister, told The Guardian in an interview published Wednesday that missile alerts cost the country an estimated $45 million for every hour that businesses are halted while workers take shelter.
