Russian forces launched over 1,550 attack drones, nearly 1,560 aerial bombs, and 62 missiles – primarily ballistic – at Ukraine over the past week, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday, Aug. 16.
In a statement on Telegram, Zelensky highlighted the scale of the attacks, which targeted 13 regions across the country.
He provided an update on the casualties from recent strikes, reporting that two people were killed and 14 injured in Kryvyi Rih, while one person was killed in Sumy. In Kyiv and the surrounding region, six people were injured.
Zelensky added that Russian forces also struck Kremenchuk with ballistic missiles, stating that civilian infrastructure is targeted wherever Russian ballistic capabilities can reach. Emergency services are working to eliminate fires and conduct rescue operations at the strike sites.
The president used the update to reiterate calls for international partners to supply Ukraine with air defense systems.
“When North Korean ballistic missiles destroy infrastructure and take lives here in Europe, European interceptors cannot simply remain in warehouses,” Zelensky said. “Protecting lives is necessary. Russia must be stopped. New packages mean literally saved lives and protected infrastructure every day.”
Domestic production and air defense needs
Zelensky’s remarks follow an address on Friday, Aug. 14, in which he discussed Ukraine’s efforts to secure air defense missiles and agreements for domestic weapons production.
In that address, Zelensky stated that the government is working to acquire additional anti-ballistic capabilities and Patriot systems. He also noted that Ukraine is seeking production licenses for anti-ballistic capabilities and expanded contributions to the PURL weapons-purchasing program.
The president pointed to the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets and the domestic production of drones as evidence that Ukraine can achieve its defense goals. However, he warned that political delays in supplying weapons carry a human cost.
“Every delay, which unfortunately exists at the political level, simply takes lives,” Zelensky said.