Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has urged Ukraine's international partners not to delay decisions on strengthening the country's air defenses following Russia's massive overnight attack on Ukraine on July 2.
According to Ukrinform, Sybiha made the appeal in a post on X.
"Do not delay decisions on air defense for Ukraine! This is our main request to our partners after Kyiv suffered a night of horror," the Foreign Minister stressed.
He said that at least 10 people had been killed in Kyiv in the attack, which involved virtually every type of Russian missile and drone, adding that the death toll could still rise.
Sybiha emphasized that Russia had deliberately targeted residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
"War criminal Putin can only wage a vile and terroristic war against civilians, women and children. Because in his war against Ukraine’s Defense Forces, he cannot achieve a single result. Such strikes are grave war crimes and we are informing all partners and international organisations about them, calling for accountability and strong responses," Sybiha said.
He added that during the second day of his working trip to Japan, he would brief his counterparts on the attack, as well as on the need to increase pressure on the aggressor and strengthen support for the Ukrainian people.
"We demand strong international responses. Not only words of condemnation but concrete action to stop Russian terror. Decisions on air defense systems and missiles for Ukraine are needed right now, not later! Decisions to increase sanctions pressure on Russia are needed right now, not later!" Sybiha urged.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister also stressed that it is immoral to justify Russia's atrocities against Ukrainians by claiming Moscow is merely responding to Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian territory. He recalled that there is a clear distinction in this war between the aggressor and the country defending itself in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
"Russia has no right to make any strikes against Ukraine, while Ukraine has every right to respond, defend from aggressor, and strike any legitimate military targets in Russia. Do not equate an aggressor and a country defending from aggression. Do not justify atrocities that cannot be justified. This war is not only about Ukraine, it is about principles. And we need everyone in the world to be principled at this challenging time," Sybiha said.
As reported by Ukrinform, Russia's massive overnight attack damaged or destroyed more than 30 sites across every district of Kyiv.
The latest reports indicate that 13 people were killed and 86 injured in the attack on the capital. Among the wounded are a six-year-old girl and her one-and-a-half-year-old brother.
A pre-trial investigation has been launched into a war crime committed by Russian military personnel that resulted in civilian deaths, under Part 2 of Article 438 of Ukraine's Criminal Code.
Lead photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
