President Zelenskyy: top priority – bolstering air defense systems

“Ensuring the supply of additional air defense systems and missiles is the number one priority,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a traditional address to the Ukrainian nation on January 4.

Dear Ukrainians!

These days, many regions of our state – various cities and villages, border areas, areas near the frontline and throughout the country – have been subjected to Russian shelling, massive missile strikes, and continuous attacks by “Shahed” drones. Obviously, the rulers of the terrorist state tried to use this New Year’s period – the end of last year, the first days of this year – to break our spirit and bring back the old threat we faced last year. The threat of destruction of our energy sector, the foundations of our life.

Our defenders of the sky are doing everything possible to protect the state. The entire team of our diplomats, all those responsible for communication with partners, and Ukrainian representatives abroad are doing everything they can to ensure the delivery of additional air defense systems and missiles. This is the number one priority. Of course, the same top priority is new support packages for our warriors. Artillery, including 155 mm caliber, electronic warfare equipment, new drones and other necessary items. I am grateful to all our partners who are already forming new support packages. There will be a lot of relevant communication this month.

But now, today, I would like to commend those who are working day and night, on any holiday and in any conditions, throughout Ukraine to eliminate the consequences of Russian strikes. Sumy, Chernihiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Kyiv, Dnipro and Nikopol, Kryvyi Rih and Orikhiv. Zaporizhzhia. The cities of Donetsk region. Kherson region. Everywhere. Our rescuers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Volunteers who help. Our police officers. I thank all of you whose job is to rescue people!

Full text of the address: Office of the President of Ukraine