Three waves of ballistic strikes hit Kyiv at the time he was meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, prompting air defence and winter support to dominate their discussions.
The Ukrainian leader said his country has become increasingly capable of countering cruise missiles and drones but remains heavily dependent on Patriot systems to defend against ballistic weapons.
Three Waves of Ballistic Attacks Hit Kyiv
Zelenskyy said he provided Rutte with a detailed account of the destruction and casualties caused by the latest Russian bombardment.
“When we met with Secretary General Mark Rutte, there had already been three waves of ballistic attacks on Kyiv,” Zelenskyy said.
He described repeated aerial attacks as part of the everyday reality facing Ukrainians and argued that the country cannot defend itself from the continuing bombardment without international assistance.
Independent reporting confirmed that Russian forces struck Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones early Thursday. Ukrainian officials said two people were killed.
Maternity Hospital Among Sites Damaged in Attack
The consequences of the overnight strikes extended across several parts of the Ukrainian capital.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said one of those killed was in the parking area of a maternity hospital damaged during the attack.
The hospital’s facade and a nearby clinic were damaged, while medical workers were among those reported injured.
Residential buildings and other infrastructure were also affected as missile debris fell across several districts.
Zelenskyy Says Patriot Remains Crucial Against Ballistic Missiles
Zelenskyy used his meeting with Rutte to emphasise what he described as a persistent weakness in Ukraine’s air-defence network.
Ukraine has developed methods of intercepting cruise missiles and conventional attack drones, he said, while Ukrainian forces are also searching for more effective ways to defeat newer jet-powered versions of Russia’s Shahed-type drones.
Zelenskyy claimed progress was already being made against those faster unmanned aircraft.
Ballistic missiles, however, remain a substantially more difficult problem.
According to the Ukrainian president, Patriot interceptors currently provide the country’s essential defence against such weapons.
Ukraine Says It Needs Patriot Interceptors ‘Practically Every Day’
The frequency of Russian missile attacks means Ukraine needs a continuing supply of Patriot interceptors rather than occasional deliveries, Zelenskyy argued.
He said the missiles are required “practically every day.”
The Ukrainian leader and NATO secretary general consequently discussed how additional interceptors could be secured alongside a broader package of support for the winter.
Ukraine has repeatedly sought additional Patriot missiles as Russia has intensified its long-range attacks. Zelenskyy has previously described the US-made system as critical for intercepting ballistic threats.
Zelenskyy Thanks Rutte for Seeking Solutions
Zelenskyy thanked Rutte for his willingness to work with Ukraine on potential solutions.
He argued that strengthening Ukrainian air defences is relevant not only to Ukraine but also to NATO members because of what Kyiv describes as broader Russian threats against European security.
The Ukrainian president has repeatedly used meetings with NATO leaders to seek additional air-defence systems and interceptor missiles.
Earlier discussions between Zelenskyy and Rutte have similarly focused on expanding mechanisms for obtaining Patriot missiles.
Russian Attack Came During Zelenskyy’s Meeting With US Lawmakers
The timing of the latest bombardment also became part of Zelenskyy’s message to Washington.
The Ukrainian president said Russian ballistic missiles were striking Kyiv while he was meeting US lawmakers in New York.
Those discussions involved Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Quigley, Marcy Kaptur, Jared Golden, Joe Wilson and Gregory Meeks.
Ukraine’s presidential office confirmed that Zelenskyy discussed stronger protection against ballistic missiles and additional sanctions on Russia during the meeting.
Zelenskyy Pushes for Stronger Sanctions on Russia
The meeting also focused on legislation associated with US Senator Lindsey Graham and proposals for additional economic pressure on Moscow.
Zelenskyy argued that Russia would not voluntarily end the war without stronger international pressure.
He called for sanctions targeting Russia and those helping Moscow generate revenue.
The Ukrainian leader said lawmakers from both US political parties had demonstrated a willingness to assist Ukraine in protecting civilians.
Explosions Light Up Kyiv as Residents Sleep
Zelenskyy described the attack unfolding while much of Kyiv was asleep.
“As people were sleeping, flashes from explosions lit up the sky,” he said.
He identified residential buildings, energy and logistics infrastructure and a maternity hospital among the sites affected.
At the time of his initial statement, Zelenskyy said two people had been reported killed and others injured, while emergency workers were attempting to reach people feared trapped inside a damaged building.
Ukraine Says Pressure on Moscow Has Not Gone Far Enough
Zelenskyy linked the continuing attacks to what he considers insufficient international pressure on Russia.
He argued that Moscow continues using ballistic weapons because Russian authorities believe they can do so without facing sufficient consequences.
That represents Kyiv’s assessment of Moscow’s motives rather than an independently established explanation for Russia’s decision-making.
Russia has maintained that its military strikes are directed against targets connected with Ukraine’s military and defence infrastructure, while Ukrainian authorities regularly report civilian casualties and damage to residential and medical facilities.
Zelenskyy Calls on United States to Respond
Zelenskyy said the United States now has an opportunity to take stronger action.
His requests centre on two measures: additional ballistic missile interceptors and tougher economic sanctions.
“We need ballistic missile interceptors to protect lives,” he said.
The appeal comes as Kyiv continues trying to secure sufficient air-defence ammunition to protect major cities, power infrastructure and other critical facilities from increasingly frequent Russian missile and drone attacks.
Kyiv Attack Reinforces Ukraine’s Winter Air-Defence Concerns
The latest bombardment comes as Ukraine prepares for another winter under the threat of Russian attacks against its energy and logistics networks.
That vulnerability has made air defence one of Kyiv’s highest priorities in discussions with NATO members and the United States.
Zelenskyy’s meetings with Rutte and US lawmakers therefore converged on the same immediate issue: maintaining sufficient numbers of interceptors to counter Russian ballistic attacks.
For Kyiv, Thursday’s strikes provided another urgent example of that requirement, with missiles hitting the capital even as Zelenskyy was abroad seeking additional military and economic support from Ukraine’s partners.
