Zelensky urges NATO in Ankara to supply air defences as Russian missile strikes intensify

Ukraine president urges NATO for air defences as missile attacks escalate

What happened, where, who, when and main outcome: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told NATO leaders in Ankara on the eve of the summit that Kyiv urgently needs more air defence systems to protect civilians from intensified Russian missile strikes, he said in a video address on Monday; the appeal aims to secure interceptor missiles to reduce civilian casualties and pressure Russia toward talks.

Zelensky made the appeal as Russian missiles struck Kyiv twice within a week, hitting residential blocks and killing more than 50 civilians, and as Ukraine has increased long-range drone attacks against targets in Russia.

He framed the NATO meeting in Turkey as an opportunity to press allies, including a planned meeting with former US President Donald Trump, to deliver air defences and consider broader support to force Russia into negotiations.

Ukraine’s recent deep strikes on Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries and attacks on St Petersburg and Moscow, have prompted Moscow to label Kyiv’s actions as “terrorism,” a charge Zelensky described as an influence campaign and plans to discuss with NATO partners.

Ukrainian officials publish daily tallies of incoming weapons and interceptions; in one recent attack almost all drones were intercepted, but none of the ballistic missiles were stopped, highlighting shortfalls in available Patriot interceptors in Ukraine.

Zelensky called on European allies to transfer Patriot missiles from storage, arguing that unused stockpiles are unhelpful when civilians are dying, while noting global shortages of such systems and proposing Ukraine develop local equivalents with NATO assistance.

Russian strikes have intensified amid Ukraine’s campaign against military logistics, oil refineries and power plants, including a confirmed drone hit on an Omsk refinery 2,500 km from Ukraine’s border, demonstrating gaps in Russia’s air defences.

The attacks on Crimea have led to repeated strikes on infrastructure there, producing power cuts, fuel and food shortages and a local state of emergency, with residents comparing conditions to the chaotic 1990s after the USSR collapse.

Ukrainian leaders argue their pressure campaign has changed battlefield dynamics and could compel Moscow to negotiate on terms Kyiv can accept, while stressing that more interceptor missiles are essential to protect cities before another harsh winter.