Russian ballistic missiles struck the grounds of a university in Kyiv and the area around it – effectively the campus, Kyoto Park, the area near a metro station, and residential buildings. The exact number of casualties is not yet known. But tragically, there are victims. There are people injured. Rescue operations are underway. There is extensive damage, and there are also reports that people may be trapped under the rubble. All emergency services are at the scene and doing their work – saving lives. The missiles hit very crowded areas, and there is not a single military facility nearby. This was a strike directly on the city, on its infrastructure. Unfortunately, there may be more strikes coming. The attack with “shaheds” is also continuing – against Kyiv and our other cities and communities. And it is precisely under such circumstances, when the threat is constant, when strikes can come at any moment and target cities and villages directly, that artificial delays in providing air defense to Ukraine help terror. It is important that political agreements be implemented promptly at the team level. It is important that our partners understand that Ukraine needs the proper tools to destroy Russian ballistic missile launchers. This would be the most effective way to save lives. It is important that the world sees that Russia is showing nothing but a desire to kill and continue waging war. Ukraine must not be left to face this alone, and it is solely Russia’s fault that the war is still going on and people are still dying. Please take care of yourselves. All partners should stand with Ukraine – with the protection of lives.

I met with our military pilots who are training at the International Test Pilots School in Canada. The guys are training to master modern fighter jets, including F-16s and Gripens, and strengthen Ukraine’s combat aviation. We’re doing everything we can to protect our skies, and the key to that is having good, motivated pilots. We’re proud that Ukraine and our Armed Forces have a generation of young pilots like this. I thank Canada, all the instructors, and the training center for providing high-quality training.