Ukraine's air defence missiles could be over soon, claims Zelensky

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that the country could run out of air defence missiles if Moscow continues its ongoing war campaign comprised of long-range bombing attacks. Zelensky's claim was cited as the starkest warning till date about the deteriorating situation for Ukraine amid expanding Russian advantages over and beyond the frontline of war now in its third year.

"If they keep hitting [Ukraine] every day the way they have for the last month, we might run out of missiles, and the partners know it," Zelensky said on Ukrainian television.

The Ukrainian president said that while Ukraine had enough air defence stockpiles for the immediate crisis posed by ongoing Russian offensive, it was still making difficult choices about what to protect.

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Zelensky says Ukraine needs more Patriot missiles

Zelenskypressed for more Patriot missiles from the United States, the air defence systems that have been proven vital during Russian attacks comprising of ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

Zelensky said that 25 systems would be needed to cover the country completely.

The Ukrainian president claimed that there are not enough ammunition in the country for a counter-offensive against Russia.

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"We don’t have shells for counter-offensive actions. As for the defence – there are several initiatives, and we’re receiving weapons," he added.

In a departure from his demand for aid, this time around, Zelensky said that Kyiv would agree for a US aid package in the form of a loan.

"We will agree to any options," he said, adding that the key thing was that the aid arrived "the sooner, the better".

Meanwhile, Russia launched fresh attacks in Ukraine with drones and missiles, killing at least eight people in Kharkiv.

Russia reportedlyattacked with 32 Iranian-made Shahed drones and fired six missiles, according to the air force commander.

The Kharkiv region’s governor, Oleh Syniehubov, said that the missile strikes on the city had damaged homes, a petrol station, a kindergarten, a cafe, a shop and cars.

On the other hand, Ukrainian drone attack on the Morozovsk airbase in Russia’s Rostov Oblast killed or injured 20 airfield personnel and destroyed six Russian warplanes, as well as badly damaging eight others, according to Ukrainian officials on Friday.

Russian defence officials, however, said they intercepted more than 40 Ukrainian drones and only a power substation was damaged in the barrage.

(With inputs from agencies)