KYIV, Ukraine – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Western leaders in Kyiv on Saturday to commemorate the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian forces are facing shortages of ammunition and weaponry while foreign aid remains uncertain.

Zelenskyy, along with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, gathered at the Hostomel airfield alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The airport, just outside Kyiv, was where Russian paratroopers failed to seize in the initial days of the war.

The Western leaders made their visit shortly after a Russian drone attack on a residential building in Odesa, resulting in at least one casualty. The attack left three women severely burned, with rescue services conducting search and rescue operations in the aftermath.

Italy, currently holding the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven economies, announced a virtual G7 meeting with Zelenskyy, pledging to release a joint statement on Ukraine. Von der Leyen affirmed the G7’s unwavering support for Ukraine across various fronts, including financial, economic, military, and moral backing.

On the front lines in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian soldiers urgently appealed for ammunition to protect themselves and their infantry units. Ukrainian armed forces’ Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi expressed gratitude to Ukrainian soldiers for their sacrifices and to Western allies for their support in supplying essential military resources.

Earlier this month, Zelenskyy replaced the top military commander, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, with Syrskyi in the most significant shakeup of top brass since the invasion. Amid ongoing military operations, Ukrainian forces achieved successes such as downing a Russian early warning and control aircraft, which the Ukrainian military believes Russia used in directing missile attacks.

The conflict has also affected Russia, as drones struck a steel plant in Lipetsk, causing a large fire. Independent Russian media reported significant casualties among Russian troops involved in the conflict over the past two years. The ongoing conflict has taken a toll on both sides, with no clear end in sight as Ukraine faces mounting challenges on the front lines.