Key events
Ukraine has shot down four drones overnight, the country’s military said.
“On the night of April 3, 2024, the enemy attacked the Donetsk region with three S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles and launched 4 Shahed-136/131 UAVs from the Primorsko-Akhtarsk area of the Russian Federation,” the Ukrainian air force said, Ukrinform reported.
Zelenskiy calls for ‘reliable air defense systems capable of saving lives’
As Nato ministers prepare to meet in Brussels later today, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has reiterated his call for more air defences.
“This terror is wreaking havoc on cities and villages throughout Ukraine, and Russia is particularly relentless in bombarding frontline and border areas,” he wrote.
“None of this will be possible when Ukraine receives reliable air defense systems capable of saving lives and restoring security to our cities. ‘Patriots’ in the hands of Ukrainians have demonstrated that all forms of Russian terror can be defeated,” he said.
In March alone, Russian terrorists used over 400 missiles of various types, 600 “Shahed” drones, and over 3,000 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine.
This terror is wreaking havoc on cities and villages throughout Ukraine, and Russia is particularly relentless in bombarding… pic.twitter.com/BLpNNK1ZeE
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 3, 2024
Ukraine expects significant electricity exports to rebound today, but the volumes are still well below levels prior to Russia’s recent missile attacks, Ukraine’s energy ministry said, Reuters reported.
11-year old dies in Kharkiv region
Oleg Sinegubov, head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, said this morning on Telegram that an 11-year old boy died in hospital after sustaining injuries in an attack in the region.
His 58-year-old father was killed yesterday, Sinegubov said.
Cameron calls for more investment in defence as Nato ministers meet
Nato foreign ministers will meet in Brussels today. David Cameron, the British foreign secretary, is set to urge his colleagues to spend more, produce more and deliver more on defence.
In a speech, Cameron is expected to encourage Nato allies to step up support for Kyiv and ramp up defence industrial production.
“75 years after its creation, we are celebrating a Nato that has never been stronger or more important, especially following Sweden’s accession last month,” Cameron said.
“With Ukraine closer to Nato than ever, we must sustain the critical support Ukraine needs to win the war,” the foreign secretary stressed, adding that “Allies need to step up and spend more on defence in the face of continued Russian aggression and a more dangerous world.”
