After his first trip to Ukraine, Karlis Kushkevics, a fellow of the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) political program, published an account of his stay in Kyiv and his experience of one of the largest russian missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the beginning of the full-scale war. In his reflections, he emphasized that what he witnessed served as a reminder of why Ukraine continues to need the support of the United States and international partners in its fight for freedom, democracy, and the security of Europe.
This was reported by UNIS.
During his three-day stay in Kyiv, Kushkevics met with representatives of diplomatic missions, think tanks, and civil society organizations. He also witnessed the resilience of Ukrainians, who continue to live and work despite constant russian attacks. He visited Independence Square, where he spoke with a volunteer raising funds for Ukrainian soldiers and learned about the urgent need for equipment to counter russian drones.
On the third night of his stay in the Ukrainian capital, the American found himself in the midst of a massive combined strike, during which nearly 700 drones and missiles were launched at Ukraine. According to him, the attack claimed the lives of four civilians, injured more than one hundred people, and damaged residential buildings, educational institutions, and cultural landmarks.
Kushkevics also highlighted the critical role of American-made Patriot air defense systems in protecting Ukraine’s skies from russian ballistic missiles. He noted that the existing number of systems is insufficient to fully shield the country and that delays in producing additional systems create further risks for civilians.
In his publication, he stressed that the experience he went through in Kyiv only strengthened his conviction that continued American support for Ukraine is essential at one of the most important moments in its modern history.
Photo: UNIS
Author: Danylo Pievchev