President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Photo: Johanna Geron/ Reuters
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence system ahead of the next Ramstein meeting next week. According to the head of state, in the first three days of 2025 alone, Russia carried out more than 300 kamikaze drone attacks and about 20 missile attacks, including the use of ballistic missiles, EFE reports.
“In the first three days of the new year alone, the Russian army used more than 300 attack drones and about 20 missiles, including ballistic missiles, against Ukrainian cities and villages,” Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel.
Despite the successful destruction of most threats by air defence forces, Russian strikes result in civilian casualties. The President stressed that constant Russian terrorist activity requires Ukraine and partners to further strengthen air defence, in particular with the help of Patriot systems and mobile fire groups.
This call was made on the eve of a meeting of defence ministers within the framework of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defence, which will take place on Thursday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. About 50 countries will take part in the event. This will be the last meeting before the new administration of US President Donald Trump takes office.
“We are preparing for meetings and negotiations next week to strengthen our air defence system. The work plan has already been agreed upon,” Zelenskyy concluded.
This meeting will be an important step in the coordination of international assistance to Ukraine, which continues to resist Russian aggression.
