Zelensky: Ukraine nearing deal with Netherlands for drone production

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that his country was close to reaching a financing agreement with the Netherlands for drone production in Ukraine.

In his evening address to the nation, Zelensky said he expected the agreement to be completed this week.

“An additional €400 million [$460 million] for our Ukrainian companies, for our Ukrainian drone manufacturers will land in the accounts of Ukrainian producers this week,” he said.

Ukraine is currently expanding its own drone production with Western financial aid in order to boost its defence against Russia.

Zelensky recalled several deadly Russian attacks that had taken place during the day, the most serious of which was on a prison near the front-line city of Zaporizhzhya.

At least 17 inmates were killed in the airstrike and another 42 prisoners injured, Zaporizhzhya regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram.