In the wake of the barrage of airstrikes launched by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine in recent days, President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defenses on Saturday.

In the last week, 104 of the 112 Shahed drones were intercepted, the Ukrainian president said in a videotaped speech. “The destruction of each one of them means that lives and infrastructure were saved,” he underlined and expressed his thanks to the Ukrainian air defense officials.

At the same time, several ballistic missiles fired by Russian forces were also shot down. “Patriots, NASAMS, Cheetahs and other systems that we supplied from our partners are working flawlessly,” said the Ukrainian president with satisfaction.

However, further strengthening of Ukraine’s air defenses is needed, he added. After all, this was an issue raised by the Ukrainian president in his contacts with leaders of allied states.

Zelensky announced that yesterday Saturday he had consultations with the leadership of the Ukrainian armed forces regarding the security of military installations and the domestic production of weapons and ammunition.

After the summer’s failed counter-offensive, the Ukrainian army is entrenching its positions and trying to fend off attacks by the Russian invaders as the war enters its 22nd month.