- Ukraine shot down 80 of 135 drones in a large-scale Russian assault.
- Zelensky calls NATO membership crucial for ending the war.
- Ground fighting remains intense near the strategic city of Kurakhove.
Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 80 of the 135 drones launched by Russian forces in a mass attack. However, 44 drones were lost to electronic warfare, with two reportedly entering Belarus.
At the same time, President Zelensky urged EU and NATO leaders to offer a formal invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance, emphasizing its importance in his five-point plan to secure victory.
Zelensky Calls for NATO Support Amid Intensified Drone Attacks from Russia
Russia’s recent mass drone attack on Ukraine saw 135 drones targeting various regions, with Ukrainian air defense systems successfully intercepting 80. The remainder either crashed into Ukrainian territory or, in some cases, veered into neighboring Belarus. This drone assault is part of a broader escalation of attacks by Russian forces, showing Putin’s continued reliance on aerial strikes to pressure Ukraine’s defenses.
In response to this intensified aggression, President Zelensky has intensified his diplomatic efforts, urging NATO to formally invite Ukraine into the alliance. Zelensky insists that this move is essential to ending the war, arguing that Russia’s military actions will only be stopped when Putin is diplomatically isolated by international partners. A NATO invitation, he claims, would accelerate this process and strengthen Ukraine’s position.
On the battlefield, Ukraine is also managing heavy fighting near the city of Kurakhove, a strategic location where 36 out of 45 Russian attacks have been repelled by Ukrainian forces over the past 24 hours. Ground clashes continue to be fierce, with Ukraine’s military leadership emphasizing the importance of maintaining control over key regions as they defend against further Russian advances.
Amid this backdrop of intense military activity, regional tensions are also growing, particularly with neighboring Romania. The country’s military was on high alert after an unidentified object, believed to be part of the drone attacks, breached its airspace. This highlights the regional implications of the conflict, with NATO members increasingly concerned about the broader security threat posed by the war.
As the war continues, Ukraine’s resilience on the battlefield and its push for NATO membership demonstrate the country’s strategic approach to ending the conflict. Zelensky’s appeal to NATO reflects his belief that diplomatic isolation of Russia will be key to achieving peace.
“This war will finish when Putin will be isolated, and pushed by other partners to diplomacy.” — Volodymyr Zelensky
