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Deadly Russian missile and drone strikes on non-military targets like playgrounds and apartment buildings have pushed air defense to the top of Ukraine’s wish list of military hardware from its allies in the West.
On Wednesday, the U.S.-led Ukraine Contact Group pledged support to Kyiv both in the short term and over the long haul. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin noted Germany’s recent delivery of an IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine, with more Western aid on the way.
“This critical donation will help Ukraine better defend its civilians from Russian air strikes,” Mr. Austin said. “Ukraine still needs even more long-range fires, and air defense systems, and artillery systems — along with other crucial capabilities.”
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov hailed the German shipments on Twitter, even as Kyiv was announcing new advances against Russian forces near the eastern city of Kherson — the first city taken by Russia in the invasion seven months ago.
“A new era of air defense has begun in Ukraine,” Mr. Reznikov tweeted. “…This is only the beginning. And we need more.”
Ukraine and its allies claimed a diplomatic win as well Wednesday as the U.N. General Assembly in New York voted 143-5 to demand Russia immediately reverse its “attempted illegal annexation” of four Ukrainian regions. Thirty-five countries, including China, India, South Africa and Cuba, abstained, but a number of fence-sitting countries, including Saudi Arabia and Brazil, voted yes this time.
