"Since the beginning of this June alone, Russians have used more than 2,400 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine," Zelensky said in a message posted on social media at the weekend.
"Of these, around 700 have been targeted at the Kharkiv region, striking our positions, our cities, and communities," he added. "Such Russian strikes are also being carried out daily against Donetsk and other frontline and border regions."
He said in his message that Ukraine "needs the necessary resources and means to destroy the carriers of these bombs, particularly Russian combat aviation wherever it operates."
He continued: "I am grateful to all our partners, especially the United States, for their strong decisions that have helped us stabilize the situation in the border areas of Kharkiv."
Zelensky argued that "modern air defense systems for Ukraine – such as Patriots, accelerated training of our pilots for F-16s, and most importantly, sufficient range for our weapons – are truly necessary" to secure Ukrainian cities and communities from Russian bombs.
"I thank everyone in the world who supports us in this," he said.
"Russian terror must be defeated, and this is in the interest of everyone who wants to live in a world without war, which terrorists always spread whenever they do not lose," Zelensky stated.
His plea came after four people were killed and at least 56 injured in a Russian guided bomb attack on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv on Saturday, according to an updated casualty toll.
'Bold decisions from our partners are needed': Zelensky
Zelensky said in a social media post on Saturday that "bold decisions" were needed from Ukraine's partners "so that we can destroy Russian terrorists and Russian combat aircraft where they are."
He thanked "everyone who helps Ukraine protect lives."
Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, lies about 30 kilometres from the border with Russia.
The aftermath of a Russian bomb attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, June 22, 2024. Photos: Photo: EPA/SERGEY KOZLOV
The city, which is home to around 1.3 million people, has frequently been targeted by Russia since it invaded Ukraine nearly 28 months ago, the Reuters news agency reported.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Sunday is day 851 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters, ukrinform.net