The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj asked the governments of the European Union for more air defense systems against Russian air attacks. A Russian rocket attack on the northern Ukrainian city of Chornihiv killed 17 people and injured around 60 people.
In the US, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on a much-needed aid package on Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced. Around $61 billion in support is earmarked for Ukraine. It was also said that US President Joe Biden should provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missile systems "as soon as practicable." Today marks the 785th day of the invasion. After the widespread failure of its 2023 summer offensive, the Ukrainian army has gone on the defensive in recent months. It lacks artillery ammunition, its own aircraft, and means of defending itself against Russian fighter jets that drop bombs. The Ukrainian president justified his request for more anti-aircraft defense with the destruction of the Ukrainian energy system. Russia is targeting hydroelectric power plants and gas supplies. The EU pledged to mobilize further military support in the face of massive Russian missile and drone attacks. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council for Friday. It will be about Ukraine's urgent need for more air defense systems and artillery shells, said Stoltonberg in Brussels. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) called on the allies to quickly support Ukraine with anti-aircraft defenses. They called on allies to take stock of all anti-aircraft systems in their arsenals and consider what could be given to Ukraine directly or through other allies. The EU summit statement said there was an urgent need to provide Ukraine with air defense systems and accelerate the delivery of all necessary military support, including artillery ammunition and missiles.