Zelenskyy says protecting critical infrastructure is first priority of Ukraine's air defence

Ukraine has focused its air defence efforts on 203 key infrastructure facilities, primarily energy, gas transmission and water supply facilities.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press briefing, as reported by Ukrinform

Details: Zelenskyy said further details would be withheld for security reasons: "There are many more facilities, but we are talking about the key ones – those related to energy, the gas system, water supply and so on."

He acknowledged that protecting infrastructure is a serious challenge, but emphasised that Ukraine is doing the right thing and expects more robust support from its partners: "More action, fewer words."

Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine is working to strengthen its air defence with additional Patriot systems, two of which are expected to arrive this autumn.

Background:

• On the night of 9-10 October, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's power grid, leading to emergency power outages across the country.
• Thermal power plants belonging to DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, have been seriously damaged in the overnight Russian attack.
• Following the large-scale Russian strikes, as of 12:00, power engineers had restored power to 270,000 consumers in Kyiv. Special rolling blackouts have been cancelled in Kharkiv, Poltava and Sumy, although general power cuts continue.

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