Russian Missile and Drone Strikes Kill Four in Ukraine; Zelenskyy Renews Call for Patriot Systems

Russian missile and drone strikes carried out overnight into Saturday left at least four people dead and another 20 wounded across Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attacks hit the capital, Kyiv, and the central Dnipropetrovsk region, intensifying President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeals for additional Western air defense assets.

Casualties and Damage in Kyiv

Kyiv’s police department reported that two people were killed and 13 injured when ballistic missiles targeted the capital in the early hours. Emergency services said a non-residential building caught fire at one location, while missile fragments that were intercepted fell in an open area at another site, shattering windows in nearby structures. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the city was “under ballistic attack” during the barrage.

Fatal Strikes in Dnipropetrovsk Region

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, acting governor Vladyslav Haivanenko stated that two people were killed and seven wounded. Apartment blocks and private houses sustained damage from the strikes, which occurred around the same time as the assault on Kyiv.

Scale of the Overnight Assault

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched nine missiles and 62 drones during the night. Air defenses shot down four of the missiles and 50 of the drones, officials added. On the other side of the front line, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces intercepted 121 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight.

Zelenskyy’s Plea for Patriot Systems

President Zelenskyy reiterated the need for advanced U.S.-made Patriot air defense batteries, asserting that such systems are essential to shield Ukrainian cities from further strikes. Writing in English on X, formerly Twitter, he stressed that “America, Europe and the G7 countries” possess the capabilities to prevent similar attacks and said Ukraine hopes to acquire 25 Patriot units.

Broader Diplomatic Context

Zelenskyy’s remarks came as he visited London for discussions with representatives of roughly two dozen European nations. The talks focused on reinforcing Ukraine’s air defenses, safeguarding the country’s power grid ahead of winter, and exploring potential transfers of longer-range missiles capable of reaching deep inside Russia. Ukraine has specifically requested U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles; the idea is under consideration by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The London meeting, hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, followed new rounds of sanctions imposed by the United States and European partners aimed at curbing revenue from Russia’s oil and gas exports. Zelenskyy also urged Washington to expand sanctions on Russian oil beyond the current two targeted companies to encompass the entire sector.

Talks on a Possible Cease-Fire

Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation, said Friday that he believes Russia, the United States and Ukraine are “quite close” to a diplomatic solution that could end the three-year-old war. Speaking to CNN after arriving in Washington for meetings with U.S. officials, Dmitriev noted that a planned summit in Budapest between Trump and Putin has been postponed but not canceled.

Imagem: Internet

Trump indicated earlier in the week that a swift meeting with Putin was on hold because he did not want it to be “a waste of time.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has publicly opposed an immediate cease-fire, signaling continued divisions over how and when hostilities might end.

Dmitriev’s visit to Washington included a meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, a White House official confirmed. The envoy announced the trip on X, stating it came at the invitation of the United States.

Continuing Threat to Energy Infrastructure

As winter approaches, Ukrainian officials remain concerned that Russia will intensify its focus on the country’s energy facilities, repeating last year’s campaign of strikes aimed at power plants and transmission lines. Ukraine’s partners are examining ways to bolster resilience, including enhanced air defense coverage and expedited repairs to critical infrastructure.

Information released by the U.S. Department of Defense indicates that additional air defense shipments for Ukraine are under review, though no final decisions have been announced.

Crédito da imagem: Associated Press