In a candid interview with PBS NewsHour, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed the dire state of Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, which left the nation powerless to counter a recent Russian airstrike on its largest power facility in the Kyiv region. According to Zelensky, Ukraine’s air defenses were exhausted despite intercepting several missiles, destroying the Trypilska power plant. “Why? Because we had zero missiles. We ran out of all missiles,” Zelensky expressed, highlighting a critical shortage amidst escalating attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
The situation reflects a broader concern voiced repeatedly by Zelensky about the depletion of Ukraine’s military resources, especially air defenses, as Russia intensifies its attacks. The urgency for substantial military aid was underscored by a recent legislative bottleneck in the U.S., where a crucial aid package has been stalled in Congress by House Republicans. This delay occurs despite evident international cooperation in defense matters, as seen in the robust defense support provided to Israel during a recent barrage of more than 300 projectiles fired by Iran—an attack Israel could not have withstood alone, according to Zelensky.
Zelensky’s frustration is palpable as the geopolitical chessboard sees shifting allegiances and strategic plays. He criticized the political games in Congress, lamenting the lack of urgency in responding to Ukraine’s pleas for help. “Nobody cares how many people are dying in Ukraine every day. They only care about their approval ratings. That’s what it’s all about. But forgetting that dead people don’t care about ratings,” he urged a reconsideration of priorities in providing aid.
The stakes are undeniably high. With Russia maintaining a significant advantage in artillery and ongoing assaults threatening Ukraine’s survival, the call for international solidarity and support becomes ever more critical. Zelensky starkly noted that Ukraine’s chances of withstanding the Russian onslaught are slim without increased support. “I can tell you, frankly, without this support, we will have no chance of winning,” he concluded, a sober reminder of the brutal realities of war and the global dynamics at play.
