Ukraine Reports 1350 Air Attacks in March, Appeals for Support: US says Kyiv Survival in ‘Danger’

Defense News , Ukraine Russia War :-  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a plea on Tuesday for more help from allies to defend against Russian attacks. He said that in just this month, Russia has launched 130 missiles, over 320 attack drones, and almost 900 guided bombs. Zelensky's appeal came as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that Ukraine's survival was at risk. He also assured allies that the US was committed to supporting Ukraine.

Austin leads the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), a monthly meeting held at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This group consists of about 50 allies who have been providing military support to Ukraine. Zelensky stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that Ukraine's survival is in danger and that the United States needs to step up its support.

Since the war with Russia began on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has heavily relied on foreign military aid. However, aid and assistance have been decreasing, with a major aid package from the US being blocked by congressional Republicans for several months.

On social media, Zelensky emphasized the need for more protection, specifically requesting a realistic number of air defense systems from Ukraine's partners. He urged that these systems should be utilized to protect lives rather than remaining unused in storage.

Zelensky highlighted the capabilities of Ukraine's air force in successfully shooting down missiles, drones, and Russian military aircraft. The Ukrainian defense ministry has prioritized securing more air defense systems and missiles, as Russian troops have increased their use of highly destructive guided bombs in recent months.

According to a Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, Russia has launched over 8,000 missiles and 4,630 drones during the invasion to date.

Ukraine's foreign minister announced on Tuesday that the nation is actively working towards securing membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the alliance's Washington summit in July. During an online news conference, Dmytro Kuleba stated that Ukraine meets the main criteria for NATO membership, emphasizing its capacity to defend NATO borders.

He expressed that Ukraine is defending itself, which aligns with NATO's membership criteria. Kuleba confirmed that Ukraine is striving to take a significant step towards NATO membership at the upcoming summit.

In summary, Zelensky's plea for increased air defense support underscores the urgent need for assistance in defending Ukraine against Russian attacks. With the situation becoming increasingly critical, Ukraine is also actively pursuing NATO membership to strengthen its defense capabilities.