What Kyiv demanded in early July 2023 after Sumy drone attack
A look back at two moves by Ukraine's president reported on 3 July 2023, on air defence and on the health of Mikheil Saakashvili.
What was Kyiv pressing for in the days leading up to 7 July 2023? Two requests from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, both reported on 3 July 2023, set the tone.
Air defence after Sumy
On 3 July 2023, Russia launched drone attacks on Sumy, killing two people and injuring 19 others. The strike formed part of the wider Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure of 2022–2023. In response, Zelenskyy called for a major upgrade of anti-aircraft defences.
The Saakashvili request
The same day, Zelenskyy asked the Georgian ambassador, Gela Dumbadze, to return home within 48 hours. The purpose was to negotiate the transfer of Mikheil Saakashvili to a Ukrainian clinic. Saakashvili is the imprisoned former Georgian president and a Ukrainian citizen, and the request was made because of his declining health.
Together, the two steps showed Ukrainian leaders pressing both on security at home and on a diplomatic matter involving Georgia in the first week of July 2023.
