📢 Statement

Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Council in Brussels, stating Ukraine needs 19 more air defense systems to protect energy infrastructure, particularly nuclear power plants, from Russian missile attacks.

Brussels, Ukraine
Verified Independently confirmed by 5 sources
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Ukraine requires 19 more air defense systems to protect its energy infrastructure, particularly nuclear power plants, from Russian missile attacks.

These systems, which are already stored at partner bases, have the potential to save lives.

Putin threatened to use Oreshnik missiles against Kyiv in a 'high-tech duel' with the West

Zelenskyy called Putin a 'dumbass' and questioned if he was an adequate person

Zelensky said Putin is dangerous, doesn't care about human lives, and loves to kill

Putin said Russia would test the Oreshnik missile, a new missile, for example somewhere over Kyiv, and that they would test air defense to see what would happen

Putin claimed that no one can intercept the Oreshnik and proposed to 'test this in Kyiv'

The range of the Oreshnik is up to 5,500 kilometers and new anti-missile systems in Poland will not intercept the Oreshnik in the air

On November 21, Russians struck Dnipro with the Oreshnik and Ukraine has no means to intercept this missile

European Council President Antonio Costa stated that Ukraine has the full and unwavering support of the European Union.

Costa expressed the EU's desire to welcome Ukraine as a member in the future.

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Extraction metadata

Extracted: 2026-07-18T17:04:43.324Z

Source story: 3939896-zelensky-at-european-council-meeting-our-priority-is-air-defense