Ukrainian President Details Scale of Russian Air Campaign
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has released his weekly assessment of Russian aerial strikes, revealing an unprecedented volume of attacks over the past seven days. Moscow deployed more than 3,170 attack drones, upwards of 1,300 glide bombs, and 74 missiles—most of them ballistic—against Ukrainian territory. The president noted that residential buildings and civilian infrastructure suffered repeated hits, causing extensive damage across multiple regions.
The week’s bombardments claimed 52 lives and left 346 people wounded, including 22 children. On the night of May 17, Russian forces launched a heavy assault on the Dnipropetrovsk region using artillery and dozens of strike drones. Four districts in the area came under fire, resulting in injuries to eight civilians and severe destruction of residential, industrial, and civilian infrastructure.
Urgent Call for Stronger Air Defenses
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine’s most pressing need is a dramatic boost to its air and missile defense capabilities.
“Our people need more protection, and everything that supports Ukrainian air defense ultimately helps save lives,” he said.The president also highlighted the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) initiative, a joint U.S.-NATO coordination mechanism.
“PURL allows partner nations to quickly fund purchases of American air defense systems and their missiles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy explained.
He expressed gratitude to allies providing concrete support for Ukraine’s defense, emphasizing the importance of “working in Europe on joint protection against ballistic threats.” According to the president, Ukraine must achieve self-sufficiency in defense to ensure that Russian aerial terror endangers neither Ukraine nor any other country on the continent.
The escalating frequency and intensity of attacks underscore the conflict’s growing severity and the region’s security challenges. Zelenskyy’s efforts to secure international air defense assistance highlight the critical need to strengthen the country’s defensive capabilities. The PURL program could serve as a vital tool for rapidly equipping Ukraine with modern air defense systems, potentially reducing civilian casualties and preserving national infrastructure.
In a related development, the intensity of Russian drone assaults is underscored by the recent report of 800 drones being launched in just one day, coinciding with significant diplomatic events, including President Biden's trip abroad. This surge in aerial attacks highlights the urgent need for enhanced defensive measures to protect Ukrainian civilians.