Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks yet, firing 68 missiles and more than 350 drones overnight, killing at least 22 people and injuring nearly 90. In his evening address, he renewed calls for additional Patriot air defense systems and argued that Ukraine should be licensed to manufacture the systems domestically.
According to Zelensky, Russia's latest barrage included a large number of ballistic missiles alongside cruise missiles and jet-powered Shahed drones. While Ukrainian air defenses achieved high interception rates against drones and cruise missiles, ballistic missiles remained the greatest challenge due to a shortage of interceptors.
"The interception rate for Shaheds was 92 percent," Zelensky said, praising Ukraine's aviation, mobile fire groups, and air defense missile forces. He added that all six Kalibr cruise missiles launched during the attack were destroyed, while Ukrainian defenders intercepted 31 of 33 cruise missiles. "The only explanation for the problem with ballistic missiles is the insufficient number of interceptors. This is especially true for Patriots," the president said.
Zelensky argued that expanding the supply—and production—of Patriot systems has become an urgent necessity. He said Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated both the need for stronger missile defenses and its ability to operate them effectively.
"It is simply nonsensical that, in today's world, production has still not been scaled up to the level that is actually needed to protect people from ballistic terror," he said, adding that Ukraine could produce Patriot systems itself if granted U.S. manufacturing licenses.
Looking ahead to the summit of Euro-Atlantic leaders in Ankara, Zelensky expressed hope that the meeting would deliver concrete decisions rather than symbolic statements.
"We very much expect that the summit now in Ankara... will not become a hollow exercise," he said, calling for stronger security cooperation, enhanced air defense, and closer defense collaboration between Europe, the United States, and Ukraine.
He also thanked international leaders who publicly condemned Russia's latest attacks.
Alongside discussing Russia's attack, Zelensky highlighted Ukraine's expanding long-range drone campaign targeting Russia's energy infrastructure. He said upgraded Firepoint drones struck the Omsk oil refinery, located nearly 2,500 kilometers from Ukraine, describing the attack as a significant blow to Russia's oil economy. Ukrainian forces also hit the Yaroslavl oil refinery and additional oil facilities both inside Russia and in Russian-occupied territories.
The president referred to these operations as Ukraine's "long-range sanctions," arguing they are steadily increasing economic pressure on Moscow.
"The Russians will feel even more strongly that this war must be brought to an end," Zelensky said. "Peace is needed, and Putin must accept that peace is a blessing, not a catastrophe, as he believes."
Concluding his address, Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ukraine's defenders, emergency responders, international partners, and everyone assisting civilians affected by Russia's attacks, while honoring those killed in the latest strike.
