It is necessary to push the Russian army back further to ensure full protection of Kharkiv, the entire region and, particularly, the borderline towns and villages, otherwise it will be hard to protect the city against daily attacks, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"We [the military cabinet] know how high the risks are when it takes a Russian missile up to one minute to hit the target. We understand that a complex protection is necessary here, and, probably, the main thing is that action is needed for strengthening the air defense of both Kharkiv and the entire region," he said at a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Kharkiv on Friday.

The head of state also said "we understand that it is necessary to push the Russian army back at a longer distance, otherwise it will be very hard to fully protect Kharkiv even if we strengthen ourselves with appropriate modern air defense systems."

He also said "there are many various details in the protection of Kharkiv and the region, we understand all the challenges, we understand what we are lacking."

"The commander-in chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the defense minister know what they should work on. This protection is being reinforced. I cannot tell you how exactly so as not to inform unwanted people about the number of our soldiers and equipment. Our partners know what we lack to be very strong, and why. It is not only about Kharkiv by the way, but in general about the borderline towns or the towns located along the contact line," Zelenskyy said.

The head of state also noted that he has discussed with the prime minister of the Netherlands, during the latter's visit to Kharkiv, a possibility of strengthening the air defense in the city.