Zelensky calls on allies to honour promises on arms supplies to Ukraine

KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on allies on Jan 12 to honour all promises to supply Ukraine with weapons, including those to counter Russian air attacks.

Mr Zelensky said that over the past week, Russian forces launched hundreds of strikes on Ukraine, and nearly 700 aerial bombs and more than 600 attack drones were used.

Ukrainian air defences downed 60 out of 94 drones launched by Russia overnight, the air force said on Jan 12. It said 34 drones were “lost”, in reference to Ukraine’s use of electronic warfare to redirect Russian drones.

“Every week, the Russian war continues only because the Russian army retains its ability to terrorise Ukraine and exploit its superiority in the sky,” Mr Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app.

He called on Ukraine’s allies to fulfil agreements already made.

“The decisions made at the Nato summit in Washington, as well as those adopted during the Ramstein meetings regarding air defences for Ukraine, have still not been fully implemented,” Mr Zelensky said.

Ukraine’s leader this week said he had discussed with partners and the US the possibility of granting Ukraine licences to produce air defence systems and missiles. REUTERS