Zelenksy appeals for Ukraine to get same protection as Israel following drone attack
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for Ukraine to receive the same level of protection from Russian drones as Israel did following the weekend attack by Iran.
On Saturday, more than 300 drones were fired at Israel, but Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said 99% of them had been shot down.
The operation included the RAF which, as part of Operation Shader, deployed several jets and air refuelling tankers to the region to help defend Israel.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that RAF jets had shot down a number of Israel-bound Iranian drones over the Iraq-Syria border area amid the unprecedented attack.
In a post on X, President Zelensky said: "The entire world witnessed allied action in the skies above Israel and neighbouring countries.
"It demonstrated how truly effective unity in defending against terror can be when it is based on sufficient political will.
"Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Jordan acted together and with maximum efficiency.
"Together, they prevented terror from prevailing. And they are working together and in co-ordination with others to prevent further escalation.
"Israel is not a Nato member, so no action such as triggering Article 5 was required.
"And no one was dragged into the war. They simply contributed to the protection of human life."
He continued: "Shaheds in the skies above Ukraine sound identical to those over the Middle East. The impact of ballistic missiles, if they are not intercepted, is the same everywhere.
"European skies could have received the same level of protection long ago if Ukraine had received similar full support from its partners in intercepting drones and missiles.
"Terror must be defeated completely and everywhere, not more in some places and less in others."
He went on to thank "every leader and state" who has assisted Ukraine in its defence against Russian air attacks, but said Ukraine can "now see how unity can work truly 100%, and how almost 100% of Shaheds and missiles can be intercepted".
"We will discuss it with our partners," he added.
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace urged the Government to use its defence of Israel as leverage to secure Israeli support for Ukraine.
Mr Wallace, writing in the Daily Telegraph, said Israel had been "absent" from the list of countries donating weapons and other items to Ukraine, and that he had pleaded with the country's ambassador but had been told Israel "didn't want to upset Russia".
He said: "We stand by Israel because we share common values, oppose terrorism and respect sovereignty.
"But if pilots of the RAF are to help protect Israel, then we should expect Israel to help Ukraine with lethal weapons and other assets, because alliances work both ways."
The former cabinet minister also called for a strong response to Iran's attack, saying the UK was weak in Tehran's eyes.
He said: "I have learnt, working against Britain's adversaries, that the only way to deal with a bully is to retaliate.
"The only option when Iran and Russia hit, I have concluded, is to hit back twice as hard and not stop until they get the message."
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