Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak stated on Saturday that urgent talks are underway between Kyiv and its allies regarding Ukraine's requests for long-range missiles, which it claims are essential to prevent Russia from destroying Ukrainian cities. Ukraine has received promises of combat tanks from Western countries and is also demanding fighter jets to respond to Russian and Moscow-aligned forces, which are slowly advancing along parts of the frontline.
Podolyak told Ukrainian Freedom TV: "To significantly reduce the (impact of) the main weapon of the Russian army, which is the artillery being used today on the front, we need missiles to destroy their depots." He noted, "There are over 100 artillery depots in Crimea (controlled by Russia)." The senior official added without going into details, "Therefore, the negotiations are already underway. Moreover, they are progressing rapidly."
Statements from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his evening address included:
- "Ukraine wants to preempt Russian attacks on urban areas and civilians."
- "Ukraine needs long-range missiles to deny the occupier the opportunity to place rocket launchers somewhere far from the frontline and destroy Ukrainian cities."
- "Ukraine needs the U.S.-made ATACMS missile, which has a range of 297 kilometers," noting that Washington has so far refrained from providing this weapon.
Earlier on Saturday, the Ukrainian Air Force denied a media report that it intends to acquire 24 fighter jets from allied countries, stating that discussions about potential deliveries are still ongoing. The Spanish newspaper "El País" quoted Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat as saying that Ukraine is primarily seeking two squadrons consisting of 12 aircraft each and prefers to have F-16s.
However, in a statement sent to the Ukrainian electronic newspaper "Babel" on Saturday, Ihnat said that his comments during the press briefing were "misinterpreted," adding, "Ukraine is still in the negotiation phase regarding the aircraft, and the models and quantities are currently being determined."
Ihnat mentioned during the press briefing that the F-16s might be the optimal choice as a multi-role fighter to replace the country's aging Soviet-era military aircraft fleet. White House National Security Council Deputy Advisor John Feiner stated on Thursday that the United States will consider the idea of supplying aircraft with Kyiv and its allies "very carefully," while the German defense minister recently ruled out the idea of sending planes to Ukraine.
