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The alliance’s spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah recently confirmed that the meeting would be held at the ambassadorial level. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov is expected to brief Nato allies via video link, providing updates on the battlefield situation and outlining Ukraine’s priority needs read more
 "Ukraine, Nato to hold emergency meeting after two days of Russian drone, missile attacks")
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shake hands following a press conference at the NATO summit in Washington, July 11, 2024. AP
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and Ukrainian officials will meet on Wednesday (August 28) at Kyiv’s request after a series of heavy Russian airstrikes across Ukraine, the Western military alliance announced.
Russian aerial assault on Ukraine
Russia launched a wave of drone and missile attacks on Monday and Tuesday, targeting multiple regions across Ukraine. The strikes left at least 11 people dead and further strained the country’s already fragile energy grid. Ukraine’s electricity grid operator imposed emergency blackouts on Tuesday to alleviate pressure on the system.
Kyiv reported that 15 regions were hit by a total of 236 missiles and drones in one of the largest aerial assaults in recent weeks. Ukrainian forces claimed they shot down 201 of the incoming threats. The attacks drew sharp condemnation from the United States as well as Ukraine’s allies in Europe.
Moscow stated that the strikes were aimed at infrastructure linked to the Ukrainian military. Meanwhile, Nato member Poland reported a violation of its airspace, likely by a drone, during the barrage.
Ambassadorial-level meeting
The alliance’s spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah recently confirmed that the meeting would be held at the ambassadorial level. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov is expected to brief Nato allies via video link, providing updates on the battlefield situation and outlining Ukraine’s priority needs, particularly in air defence.
Ukraine’s critical need for enhanced air defenses will be a central topic of discussion, according to a diplomatic source.
Zelenskyy’s appeal for air support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European air forces to assist Kyiv in countering Russian drones and missiles. He emphasized that joint efforts with Ukraine’s F-16s and air defense systems could significantly improve the protection of Ukrainian lives.
Zelenskyy previously announced that Ukraine had deployed Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets to repel the Russian strikes and successfully tested a domestically produced ballistic missile.
With inputs from agencies
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English (US) ·