Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with AFP said his country needed over a hundred aircraft to counter Russian air power and said Ukraine only had a quarter of the air defences it needs.
His country has faced a surge of devastating attacks as the war stretches into its third year, leading Kyiv to double down on pleas to strengthen its depleted air defences.
“Today we have about 25 percent of what we need to defend Ukraine. I’m talking about air defence,” Mr Zelensky said.
Russia currently holds an advantage in the air, which limits Ukraine’s ability to protect cities and hold the front line.
To combat sustained aerial and ground assaults, Ukrainian officials have called for more support.
“So that Russia does not have air superiority, our fleet should have 120 to 130 modern aircraft… to defend the sky against three hundred (Russian) aircraft,” Mr Zelensky said.
He also said the fighter jets were needed “to have parity” with Russia.
His comments came just weeks after the US Congress finally approved a $61 billion (€56bn) financial aid package for Ukraine following months of political wrangling.
Mr Zelensky called for some of the assistance to be delivered.
“Can we have three (billion) to get two (Patriot) systems in Kharkiv region, and no bombs will fall on the heads of the military,” he said.
Mr Zelensky also warned that Russia’s offensive in the Kharkiv region this month may only be a “first wave” and Russian troops could aim for the city of Kharkiv.
“We have to be sober and understand that they are going deeper into our territory. Not vice versa. And that’s still their advantage”
He said the situation in the region, where Russia has seized several border villages, was “controlled” but “not stabilised” after Ukraine sent reinforcements.
The president also said Russian troops had penetrated between five to 10 kilometres along the northeastern border before being stopped by Ukrainian troops.
Russia’s offensive “could consist in several waves. There was the first wave” in the Kharkiv region, he said.
“I won’t say it’s a great success” for Russia, he said.
However, Mr Zelensky added: “We have to be sober and understand that they are going deeper into our territory. Not vice versa. And that’s still their advantage.”
