Ukraine must first protect 203 key infrastructure facilities – Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this during a meeting with journalists on Friday, Ukrinform reports.

"Without going into unnecessary detail – so as not to help the enemy – today I'm looking at 203 key facilities in Ukraine that we need to defend with air defense systems. I won't say exactly what has been done or how many systems we have, but you understand – the number is 203. There are far more facilities overall, but I'm talking about the key ones: energy, gas infrastructure, water supply, and so on," he said.

Zelensky said that protecting such infrastructure is a major challenge but expressed confidence that Ukraine is taking the right steps. At the same time, he added, "We don't want to do this alone. It would be better if our partners supported us more with deeds and less with words."

He added that Ukraine is currently working to obtain Patriot systems and recalled that two units are expected to arrive this fall.

"We will receive these two systems along with the corresponding set of missiles. Of course, this is not the ten systems we're expecting from the U.S. These are other systems we've managed to agree upon. We're still waiting for the package promised by the president of the United States. I expect we'll be able to get a timeline for their delivery. Next week, our delegation led by the prime minister will travel to the U.S. We'll see what feedback we get," he said.

Zelensky also added that the Kremlin leader will not agree to halt hostilities, which means he must be stopped by force, including through the use of long-range weapons such as Tomahawk cruise missiles against Russia. He said he expects a positive response from Trump on this matter as well.

As reported, Russia launched more than 30 missiles and over 450 attack drones at Ukraine's critical infrastructure overnight.