Ukraine needs more air defense to protect nuclear power plants: even outdated systems will enhance their security

This statement comes from Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, as reported by Ukrinform. 

Ihnat emphasized the critical nature of this task.

"It's not about what we can do; it's an absolute necessity. We are already in the fall-winter period, and safeguarding critical infrastructure is a top priority for all our defense forces, not just the Air Force. Consequently, these issues are under daily discussion regarding how and where we can bolster the protection of these sites," he said.

He stressed the need for increased air defense capabilities to safeguard these vital facilities.

 "It's evident that Russia may target the same areas as last year. Therefore, any assistance, including older systems like the Hawk or those adapted to counter American missiles, contributes to the quantitative enhancement of our ability to protect critical infrastructure facilities," Ihnat explained.

• On the night of October 25, Russia attacked Ukraine with drones. Explosions were heard in the Khmelnytskyi region, and in the Shepetivka district, drones fell on a critical infrastructure facility as a result of being shot down.

• Terrorists used 11 strike Shahed drones. Air defense destroyed all the kamikaze drones. Unfortunately, the falling debris caused injuries among the civilian population. In the towns of Slavuta and Netishyn, Khmelnytskyi region, 11 apartment buildings and 9 private houses, 2 educational institutions, 2 fire rescue units, a police station and other civilian infrastructure were damaged. 

• Russian attack near Khmelnytskyi NPP damaged windows in the office building and the laboratory. 1860 consumers in the towns of Slavuta and Netishyn, Khmelnytskyi Region, were cut off from electricity

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant was most likely the target of the Russian drones during the night attack on October 25.

• On October 26, the IAEA responded to the downing of Russian drones near the Khmelnytsky NPP.