We Have Already Explained to All Our Partners Why Ukraine Truly Needs Sufficient Long-Range Capabilities - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

15 September 2024 - 19:09

Dear Ukrainians!

Rescue operations are still underway in Kharkiv. A Russian aerial bomb hit a house. An ordinary multi-storey residential building. There was a fire, ceilings collapsed. It is known that people are trapped under the rubble. As of now, 35 people are reported injured, including three children. All emergency services, rescue teams, medics, and utility workers quickly arrived at the scene, and aid is being provided to all those affected. In total, four aerial bombs were used in this strike on the Kharkiv region alone. One targeted Kharkiv, the house, and the other three targeted villages in the Kharkiv region. Today, Russian forces also hit our Sumy and Donetsk regions with such bombs. In total, there are no fewer than a hundred airstrikes of this kind every day. Just in the past 24 hours, 128 guided aerial bombs were used. The only way to counter this terror is with a systemic solution, and that solution is long-range capabilities - enabling us to destroy Russian military aircraft at their bases. This is an obvious, sensible decision. We have already explained to all our partners why Ukraine truly needs sufficient long-range capabilities. And every such Russian strike, every instance of Russian terror, like today's attacks on Kharkiv, on our Sumy and Donetsk regions, proves that long-range capabilities are necessary and the range must be sufficient. We are expecting corresponding decisions, especially from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy - everyone whose resolve can help save lives.

Today, repair crews in the Donetsk region, who were actually working under the threat of shelling, restored electricity to people in Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, and Kostiantynivka. Nearly one hundred and fifty thousand residents of the Kramatorsk district were without electricity due to the Russian attack. And, of course, this is truly the heroism of our people - everyone working for the sake of Ukraine and Ukrainians - that despite everything, basic services are being restored. There was also a report by Viktor Mykyta, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office for Regional Policy, on the situation in the Odesa region due to severe weather. Heavy rains these days, flooding in the Odesa region. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, regional and local authorities are all involved. Unfortunately, there are also critical situations in our neighboring countries due to these extreme rains. On my instructions, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha offered assistance from the SES of Ukraine to the affected countries in our part of Europe.

And one more thing.

Today, there was a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi. Every day, unwavering attention is paid to the frontline and our operation in the Kursk region. The Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Toretsk, and Kupyansk directions - I want to thank every unit that is truly defending their positions. The 46th separate airmobile brigade, the paratroopers of the 79th brigade, the 25th separate airborne brigade, the 54th separate mechanized brigade, and the 35th separate marine brigade. I am grateful to all of you, warriors! In the Kursk region, we continue our active operations, and it is crucial that the "exchange fund" for us, for our state is being replenished.

I thank everyone who fights and works for Ukraine, for the sake of all of us, for the sake of all Ukrainians!

Glory to Ukraine!