Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that Ukraine had received advanced air defense systems from the United States. This was the first acknowledgment that Ukraine had received the long-awaited National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), which Washington approved for shipment late last month.

Zelensky said, according to an English transcript: "We urgently need the United States to show leadership and grant Ukraine air defense systems and aid. I would also like to thank President (Joe) Biden for the positive decision that has already been made, but believe me, it is not enough to cover the civilian infrastructure, schools, hospitals, universities, and Ukrainian homes." The Ukrainian president also thanked the United States for the HIMARS system and other multiple rocket launchers that have enabled Ukraine to make advances against Russian occupation forces.

Ukraine launched counterattacks this month to liberate vast areas of territory in the northeast of the Kharkiv region from occupation, and also made progress in the south. Meanwhile, Russia describes its seven-month invasion of Ukraine as a "special military operation" and denies targeting civilian sites.