Zelenskyy speaks with Canada's Carney on defense package and drones

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sits down Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as Canada announces new support for Ukraine by way of an air-defence package and cooperation on drone production.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a 254-million-dollar package of air-deferens interceptors and more than 312 million in loan guarantees to help Ukraine buy natural gas ahead of winter.

This during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the province of Alberta's Calgary.

Carney says: "As we meet today, Russia's been escalating its barbaric aerial warfare, indiscriminately targeting civilian populations. Ukraine's air defences are ever more critical. And that's why, earlier today, Canada and Ukraine finalised an agreement to deliver critical air defences interceptors through the United States' jump-start mechanism. This 350 million dollar equipment package will help protect Ukraine's people, its infrastructure, its skies."

The two signed a "Hundred Year Partnership" declaration covering defence, trade, reconstruction, energy, critical minerals and technology.

Carney furthers that one-third of drones produced under Canada's expanded domestic drone industry will go to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy thanks his Canadian counterpart for the defence package, which he says wil go towards its air defence Patriot system and fighter jets that are shooting down Russian Shaheds.

This as he further reveals 21 Ukrainian pilots are currently training in Canada, and his advisers remain in daily contact with US counterparts about preparations for a possible trilateral meeting.

This, as Russia returns to its near-constant air attacks on Kyiv this week after a brief halt during the visit to Moscow and Kyiv of US President Donald Trump's negotiators seeking to end the war which the Kremlin started by invading Ukraine in 2022.

At least two people were killed in Ukraine following a Russian attack in the eastern town of Pavlohrad, local authorities said Thursday.

In Russia, Ukrainian drones damaged civilian infrastructure in the central Volga River city of Saratov, regional governor Roman Busargin said on Telegram, with no casualties reported.

This as UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told British parliament on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing to intensify attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.