PM Shmyhal calls on world to provide Ukraine with modern air defense systems to cover its skies

13.12.2022 13:40

Ukrinform

Ukraine needs modern anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems that will allow the Army to close the sky, protect people and objects of critical and energy infrastructure from Russian missile attacks.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this during the international conference "Solidarity with the Ukrainian people" in Paris, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We understand that Russia will continue its terrorist attacks and will not give up its intentions to destroy our power system. They want to plunge us into darkness. In order for this not to happen, we need the help of the civilized world. We need modern anti-missile and anti-aircraft systems to protect our skies," Shmyhal said.

The head of the government emphasized that, despite the unprecedented level of attacks, Russia has not yet succeeded in destroying Ukraine’s energy system, which remains integral and controlled. “Our energy workers are real heroes who do their job 24 hours a day. What takes months, they do in a few weeks or days. It is thanks to their professionalism that Ukrainians have light for at least a few hours a day," Shmyhal added.

Earlier, he noted that the massive missile attacks on the critical infrastructure of Ukraine, which ensures people’s livelihoods, especially in this difficult winter period, do not stop. Since October 10 alone, the Russians have launched more than a thousand cruise missiles and drones at civilian energy infrastructure.

According to the Prime Minister, the latest Russian attacks on the power system resulted in the damage of half of Ukraine's energy infrastructure. These damages led to the destabilization of the power grid and the need for scheduled and unscheduled blackouts. This affects all sectors of the economy and social life in Ukraine.

Shmyhal is convinced that Russia will not be able to break the Ukrainians down, and history will put everything in its place. The country will have gas, electricity, water, and food, but be without Russia.

As reported by Ukrinform, since December 12, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, together with the First Lady, Olena Zelenska and government officials, has been in France on a working visit.