Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a Russian missile attack last week could not be repelled due to a shortage of missiles in the air defense system. The attack destroyed the largest power plant in the capital city of Kiev. He said this in an interview given to the American media PBS on Tuesday (April 16). British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Zelensky said this after several warnings from the country’s government about the shortcomings of Ukraine’s air defense system. Ukraine’s military is struggling to stop Russia from stepping up its attacks on the country’s energy system.
Zelensky said 11 missiles were flying. The first seven were destroyed. But the other four destroyed Trypylia. The reason? We had no missiles. We had no missiles to defend Tripolia.
Reuters could not independently verify the veracity of Zelensky’s claim that the missiles were running out. But Zelensky has been warning in advance that Ukraine is facing tough decisions about what to prioritize on defense. He also said that if Russia continues to attack at such a pace, Ukraine’s missile defenses will be completely exhausted.
The Trypilska Thermal Power Plant, which was destroyed in the March 11 Russian attack, was the largest power plant near Kiev. It had a production capacity of 1,800 MW. That was more than Kiev needed. For now the shortfall is being met through other centers and imports. But residents have been calling for the protection of the power plant.
Since mid-March, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s grid system with a combination of missiles and drones. After the start of the all-out attack on Ukraine in 2022, this is the second time Russian forces have continuously attacked the country’s energy system. This attack is more destructive than the previous one.
Ukraine has lost 7 gigawatts of electricity generation capacity as a result of recent attacks. Important thermal power plants and transmission capacity have been significantly reduced.
Moscow says the attacks are being carried out in retaliation for a reduction in Ukraine’s fighting capabilities and recent attacks inside Russia.
Western allies are not very keen on sending additional air defenses to Ukraine. Ukraine has been saying that it needs at least 25 Patriot systems to protect the entire country from Russian missiles. Germany has promised to deliver another Patriot system after the Ukraine emergency.
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