Zelenskyy appeals for expanded strike capabilities as Russian attacks intensify

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Western nations on Sunday to allow Kyiv to launch strikes on military targets inside Russia, particularly air bases, following an escalating wave of Russian attacks, including a deadly strike on Kharkiv.

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a “systemic solution” to counter Russian aerial assaults, advocating for long-range strikes against military aviation where it is stationed. “We are waiting for appropriate decisions coming primarily from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy,” he stated during a recent address.

His plea follows a series of Russian bombings, most recently a guided strike on a residential area in Kharkiv, which claimed the life of an elderly woman and left 42 people injured. The attack, which sparked a fire quickly extinguished by local firefighters, is part of a broader pattern of strikes targeting the northeastern city.

In addition to Kharkiv, Zelenskyy reported that Russia also launched attacks on Sumy and Donetsk regions, utilizing guided bombs. According to the Ukrainian president, Russian forces are conducting upwards of 100 airstrikes per day. Ukraine’s leadership has been advocating for the capability to strike Russian military infrastructure to prevent further such attacks. However, Western governments have been hesitant, fearing that allowing strikes within Russian borders could lead to a significant escalation in the conflict.

Meanwhile, Russian shelling claimed the life of one civilian in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub for Ukrainian forces. The city has seen an exodus of around 20,000 people, nearly half of its population, as sustained bombardment has cut off essential services, including water and electricity. Local authorities reported that Russian troops have advanced to within 10 kilometers of the city’s eastern outskirts.

Strategically located at the crossroads of vital rail and road routes, Pokrovsk has become a critical target for Russian forces. The city’s infrastructure has taken heavy damage, including the destruction of two overpasses, one of which connected Pokrovsk to the nearby town of Myrnograd. The continued Russian advance raises concerns that Pokrovsk could face a fate similar to that of Bakhmut and Mariupol, both of which endured prolonged bombardments before falling to Russian control.