Ukraine war briefing: Ukraine’s army chief says eastern front has ‘deteriorated significantly’
Ukraine’s Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi says Russia has intensified armoured assaults as battles rages over village near Bakhmut. What we know on day 781
Germany will supply a US-made Patriot air defence system and air defence missiles to Ukraine at a “critical time”, as Kyiv struggles to defend its energy system from Russian bombardment, Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday. Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app that he was grateful to Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, for the decision to supply an additional Patriot system, and missiles for existing air defence systems. Later in his nightly video address, Zelenskiy indicated talks were under way on expanding the transfer of another air defence system, though German officials did not reference this in their remarks. “We are also working with Germany on an additional Iris-T system, which is also a strong air defence system, and on missiles for our existing air defence systems,” Zelenskiy said in his video address.
Olaf Scholz said on X in response to the announcement: “We stand steadfast on the side of Ukraine”, adding that Zelenskiy had informed him in a telephone call on Saturday about “massive Russian air attacks on civilian energy infrastructure”. Germany’s ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Jaeger, said on X: “Other international partners must follow quickly now.”
Ukraine’s army chief said on Saturday the situation on the eastern front had worsened in recent days as Russia intensified its armoured assaults and battles rage for control of a village west of the devastated city of Bakhmut. “The situation on the eastern front has deteriorated significantly in recent days,” said Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, more than two years since Russia’s invasion reflected the grim mood in Kyiv as vital US military aid that Kyiv expected to receive months ago remains stuck in Congress. Zelenskiy said in his evening address that the “situation at the front, in some areas, is difficult”.
Germany will provide us with an additional Patriot system — Chancellor Scholz and I agreed on this today. We are also working with Germany on an additional IRIS-T system, which is also a strong air defence system, and on missiles for our existing air defence systems. Germany's leadership is truly felt, and thanks to this leadership, we will be able to save thousands of lives and give Ukraine more protection from Russian terror. We will continue to work with all partners who can also help. - This week alone, I have already had conversations and meetings with the presidents of Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, and Latvia.
- A new bilateral security agreement was signed with Latvia.
- I also spoke with the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, and Ireland.
- Today I had a conversation with the Chancellor of Germany.
- We will do everything to ensure the results in the coming weeks as well. In every conversation, at every meeting, air defence and the frontline are the main subjects. We are doing everything to have more capabilities for our Defence Forces and the defence-industrial complex. Glory to everyone who prevents Russian terrorists from achieving their goals. Glory to all who really protect life.
Germany Will Provide Us With Another Patriot System, And We Are Working on an Additional IRIS-T System — Address of the President of Ukraine
13 April 2024 - 20:47
Today we have a very good result of our international work: Germany will provide us with an additional Patriot system — Chancellor Scholz and I agreed on this today. We are also working with Germany on an additional IRIS-T system, which is also a strong air defence system, and on missiles for our existing air defence systems. Germany's leadership is truly felt, and thanks to this leadership, we will be able to save thousands of lives and give Ukraine more protection from Russian terror.
Of course, today we also talked with the Chancellor about our joint international events — we are preparing for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will soon be held in Germany. And together we will do everything to make the Global Peace Summit – the first, inaugural summit to be held in June – a real success. This also requires the leadership of partners, and I am grateful to everyone who helps. Olaf, Mr. Chancellor, thank you again for the air defence!
We will continue to work with all partners who can also help. This week alone, I have already had conversations and meetings with the presidents of Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, and Latvia. A new bilateral security agreement was signed with Latvia. I also spoke with the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, and Ireland. Today I had a conversation with the Chancellor of Germany. We will do everything to ensure the results in the coming weeks as well. In every conversation, at every meeting, air defence and the frontline are the main subjects. We are doing everything to have more capabilities for our Defence Forces and the defence-industrial complex.
Each week also brings new contracts for joint production of weapons. We are also working to finance more of our production right here in Ukraine. Ukraine's potential to produce weapons, in particular, FPVs, is quite high. And we agree with our partners on joint steps to finance this work for the sake of our common strength — the whole of Europe, and all those who are threatened by Russian terror.
Today it is important to honour all our people who work for the sake of Ukrainian strength. This day is a professional holiday for the Ukrainian defence industry. Today I granted state awards to people who are actively developing this industry of ours. Most of them cannot be talked about openly now, and the reasons are clear. But this does not diminish our gratitude to them.
I am proud of every enterprise that produces weapons for Ukraine. We are all rightly proud of every result of Ukrainian weapons — our drones, which can reach more and more distant targets — and we are proud of the results of our missiles. All the production of shells and artillery is fundamentally important for Ukraine. Some production facilities that we haven't had since independence are already yielding results. And despite all the difficulties, five hundred companies are currently operating in our defence industry, most of them are private initiatives. Ukrainian character, our entrepreneurs show themselves from the best side. I am grateful to everyone. I am grateful to all of our 300,000 people who create Ukrainian weapons! Thanks to everyone who helps!
Today, as always, I was also in touch with the military officials, with the Minister of Defence. The situation at the frontline, in some directions, is quite difficult. And everyone who is now showing their resilience, everyone who defends our positions is doing a tremendous job. I am grateful to every soldier and commander!
We are working with partners, particularly in the United States, to strengthen our actions. Glory to everyone who prevents Russian terrorists from achieving their goals. Glory to all who really protect life.
Glory to Ukraine!
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