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GuardianSep 26
Zelenskyy Calls on West to Shoot Down Missiles in Ukraine as in Israel
Above: Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a trip to the US on September 26, 2024. Image copyright: Win McNamee/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the country's Western partners to adopt a similar approach in shooting down Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine as was done in Iranian attacks on Israel over the weekend.
In the wake of Iran's attack on Saturday — which reportedly comprised of around 30 cruise missiles, 120 ballistic missiles and 170 drones — the militaries of the US, UK, France, and Jordan all participated in shooting down the projectiles. According to Israel, 99% of the aerial targets were destroyed before making landfall.
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
While Ukraine appreciates the support of partners in providing missile defenses, it has long been stating that Russian terror in Ukraine can be completely stopped if allies participated in the shooting down of targets, the efficacy of which has now been demonstrated in Israel. There's no reason this approach cannot be adopted.
Pro-establishment narrative
As stated when Poland put forward a similar proposal several weeks ago, if NATO countries begin shooting down Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine's skies, it would directly involve them in the conflict — a line the alliance is not willing to cross at this stage.