Ukraine working with partners to start production of air defense systems, missiles in Ukraine - Zelensky

This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky in an address to the nation on Wednesday, Ukrinform reports.

"Today, air alerts have been going off in our country practically all day. At night, there was another raid involving Russian missiles and drones. Ballistic missiles, more than 140 strike drones overnight. It was loud in Kyiv, in our other cities. Unfortunately, some people were wounded. Unfortunately, some were killed. My condolences to families and friends," he noted.

According to him, the clearing of rubble in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kyiv has been going on all day.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to Ukrainians involved in rescuing and otherwise assisting those affected and protecting the airspace.

“Every mobile fire group, all interceptor drone crews, every air defense unit, our combat aircraft – I thank you for your effective performance,” Zelensky said.

The President emphasized that work is being done every week to make the Ukrainian sky more protected, “and the latest weeks are no exception.”

“Work is underway with partners so that we can not only obtain new air defense systems and missiles for them, but also so that we can localize the production of these systems and missiles we need in Ukraine. This is one of the strategic decisions that are required,” he informed.

Zelensky emphasized that the implementation of such an initiative is one of the foundations of the future security architecture in Europe.

“And it is absolutely right that the Russian sky, the sky of the aggressor state, is also restless today,” the head of state added.

As Ukrinform reported, on the night of May 7, Russian invaders attacked Ukraine with five Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles. The defense forces managed to shoot down two incoming missiles.