Allies Must Grasp Two Critical Realities, Says Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Hrytsenko

Anatoliy Hrytsenko’s Assessment of the War with Russia

According to Главком: Anatoliy Hrytsenko, who previously served as Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, has urged European allies to recognize two fundamental truths about the ongoing conflict. He pointed out that on the night of July 6, Russia launched a massive assault on Kyiv and the surrounding region, resulting in casualties and injuries. Hrytsenko also shared performance data from the air defense forces that night: they intercepted 93% of Shahed drones and 94% of cruise missiles, yet failed to shoot down a single ballistic missile.

Hrytsenko highlighted significant delays in weapons deliveries from allied nations, noting that out of 400 promised tanks, only 32 have arrived, while aircraft deliveries are lagging by two to three years. He stressed that no Western ally could have withstood Russia’s onslaught for as many years as Ukraine has endured this war.

'Last night, our air defense forces operated at maximum efficiency: 93% of Shahed drones and 94% of cruise missiles were shot down! But zero ballistic missiles were intercepted, and everyone knows the reason why,' stated Anatoliy Hrytsenko.

The massive attack on Kyiv resulted in deaths and injuries. In the Kyiv region, particularly in the towns of Boyarka and Vyshneve, power outages occurred. In Vyshneve, due to the risk of secondary explosions, an evacuation of over 500 people was initiated. Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, reported:

'We have already temporarily evacuated more than 500 people until cleanup operations are complete. We are also inspecting damaged private homes to ensure no victim is overlooked.'

Hrytsenko further emphasized that if Ukraine had not held back Russian aggression, discussions about joining NATO and the EU would not even be taking place, and both alliances could have collapsed entirely. He summarized:

• 'If Ukraine had not stopped this Russian onslaught and had fallen, there would be no debates today about whether to accept us into NATO or open negotiation clusters for EU membership-both of these alliances would have shattered and ceased to exist altogether.'

The Critical Importance of International Support

This situation underscores the vital role of international backing for Ukraine amid the prolonged war. The lack of timely weapon deliveries could significantly undermine Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aggression. Hrytsenko stresses that Europe’s stability and security are directly tied to Ukraine’s success in this conflict, raising new questions about the commitments and responsibilities of Western allies in supporting Ukrainian efforts. Continued attacks of this nature could worsen the humanitarian crisis in the region, demanding an urgent response from the global community.

In light of the recent attack on Kyiv, the urgency for international response is more critical than ever. This situation has prompted Ukraine to convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to address the escalating threat posed by Russia. For a deeper understanding of the implications of this strike and the broader context, see how this recent escalation aligns with Ukraine’s ongoing struggles for support and security in the face of aggression. Read more about this pressing issue in our detailed report.