Zelensky Urges Allies for Prompt Weapons Supply

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged his allies to provide weapons supplies more promptly, following a series of Russian missile and drone attacks that killed eight people and injured dozens more. In his nightly video address, Zelensky stated that Ukraine needs a new level of cooperation with its partners to ensure that agreements on arms supplies are fulfilled, and that these agreements must be implemented much more quickly and completely. The attacks, which occurred in the northern city of Sumy, the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, and the southern port city of Odesa, have sparked widespread concern and condemnation.

Two glide bombs hit a crowded area in Sumy, killing five people and injuring 30, while a local official reported that a man was killed after stepping on an explosive device in a border district of the Sumy region. In response to the attacks, Ukraine’s military has stepped up efforts to disrupt fuel supplies to Russian forces and isolate Moscow-occupied Crimea. The military reported that it had hit at least 36 Russian ships and set them on fire in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, including 32 so-called Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tankers and two dry cargo ships.

Additionally, Ukraine’s military said it had hit an oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region overnight, as part of its efforts to reduce Moscow’s revenue from oil product exports. The attacks have also led to a massive fuel shortage across Russia, resulting in widespread reports of escalating prices.