Zelenskyy urges partners to release interceptors from warehouses

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of providing military support to Ukraine during his evening address on August 1, urging international partners to release interceptor missiles from warehouses. Zelenskyy argued that storing antiballistic missiles in warehouses instead of using them to protect civilians was unacceptable. He stressed that every day without this critical assistance provided Russia with another opportunity to kill innocent people.

The United States and European countries have identified the specific air defense systems and capabilities that Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russian attacks, according to Zelenskyy. He also called on Ukraine's partners to expand sanctions against those who assist Russia in manufacturing and supplying ballistic missiles and launchers, or in producing the components necessary for their creation.

Zelenskyy urged the closure of gaps in the sanctions regimes of G7 countries and emphasized that Ukrainian diplomats should work towards this goal.

In addition to addressing the need for weapons, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of blocking supplies of goods and technologies that enable Russia to restore its oil-refining capabilities. He stated that securing weapons for Ukraine and increasing international pressure on Russia through sanctions would be among Ukraine's main diplomatic priorities. The president also mentioned that a broad meeting with Ukrainian ambassadors would take place soon.

Ukraine suffered significant damage from Russian attacks overnight on July 31 and August 1, with ballistic missiles falling in various districts, including Kyiv. The Darnytskyi district experienced the most extensive damage, resulting in nine deaths and 33 injuries, including four children. Emergency services rescued 105 people, while five ambulances were destroyed by fire, and 20 other medical vehicles were severely damaged in a strike on Kyivmedspetstrans.

Russia launched 220 aerial weapons, including 35 missiles — 27 of them ballistic — and 185 drones, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted two missiles and 154 drones, with one of the 27 ballistic missiles being shot down due to a lack of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, as reported by Zelenskyy.