Odesa Region needs enhanced protection, including specific air defence systems that shoot down ballistic missiles, Natalya Humenyuk, head of the Joint Press Centre of the Operational Command South, has told the news telethon, Ukrinform reports.
"Odesa Region needs additional enhanced protection, as it has a very powerful economic component of the entire Ukrainian economy. This is navigation, which, despite the enemy's attempts to stop port and maritime activities, continues to operate under the auspices of the Ukrainian Defence Forces," Humenyuk said.
She noted that ensuring the safety of shipping in today's environment is a very difficult job.
"The only thing we really need at this stage is strong support for air defence. I think our partners hear us," emphasised Humenyuk.
She explained that ballistic missiles are very difficult to shoot down and require specific air defence systems to counter them.