Zelensky condemns one of the largest Russian attacks on Ukraine, with 200 drones and 93 missiles
Photo: Office of the President
Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky said that on the night of December 13, the enemy attacked Ukraine with 93 missiles, including one North Korean. 81 of them were shot down.
The president wrote about this on Telegram.
According to the head of state, the Russians also launched almost 200 drones. This was one of the largest strikes on the Ukrainian energy sector.
11 cruise missiles were shot down thanks to F-16 fighters, the president says. He again called for a strong "mass" reaction from the world to the massive strike.
"This is such a "peaceful" plan of Putin – to destroy everything. This is how he wants "negotiations" – terrorizing millions of people. And he is not limited either in range or in purchasing the necessary components for producing missiles," Zelensky said.
According to the president, among the missiles used by Russia, at least one was manufactured in North Korea, which indicates the international nature of the Russian military cooperation to support terror.
Zelensky called on the world to respond massively to this act of aggression.
He also noted that Putin is demonstrating his readiness to continue the attacks, using revenues from oil sales to purchase components for missiles.
"Oil gives Putin enough money to believe in impunity. A strong world response is needed: a massive strike is met with a massive response. This is the only way to stop terror," the president said.
He stressed that only tougher sanctions and military support, including the supply of air defense systems such as Patriot, can stop Russian terrorism.
"If leaders are afraid to react or get used to terror, Putin takes it as permission to continue. We need 'Patriots' to shoot down these missiles and prove that terror will not achieve its goal. We need to strengthen sanctions against Russia for the war to really influence Russian missile production," Zelensky stressed.
The president added that Putin's words will not stop. According to him, this requires a force that will lead to peace.
"The world can stop this madness, and for this, first of all, we need to stop the madness in Moscow, which has been giving orders for terror for 20+ years. Force is needed. Ukraine is grateful to everyone who helps," Zelensky summed up.
Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Andrii Sybiha called on the West to urgently provide Ukraine with 20 air defense systems.
"Russia's massive missile attack on Ukraine this morning is primarily aimed at the energy system. Russia seeks to deprive us of energy. In return, we must deprive it of the means of terror," Sybiha said.
The Foreign Minister called on the West to urgently deliver 20 NASAMS, HAWK, or IRIS-T air defense systems.
For reference:
As reported, on the morning of December 13, the Russian army launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. In particular, the energy infrastructure was under attack.
On the night of December 13, the Russian military struck a residential building in Kharkiv with a drone. This strike was carried out during the drone attack on Ukraine, which the Russian Federation launched after a pause of several days.
The Russian military attacked the Ivano-Frankivsk region, the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion. Key infrastructure facilities were targeted, using both drones and cruise missiles. Though hits were reported in the region, fortunately, no casualties were recorded.
Furthermore, military officials from the Ternopil and Lviv regions reported on the detrimental effects of the Russian missile strike. Nevertheless, they have also reassured that there were no casualties and that critical infrastructure remains fully functional.
During the repelling of the air attack, explosions were also heard in Odesa.
DTEK claims that a massive strike also hit its thermal power plants – the equipment there was seriously damaged.
