Zelenskyy Pleads For Western Air Defense After Russian Attacks Kill 4 In Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missile and drone attacks At least four people were killed and 20 injured in attacks in Ukraine overnight into Saturday, officials said, prompting Ukraine’s president to make new demands for Western air defense systems.

Kiev police said that two people were killed and 13 people were injured in a ballistic missile attack in the capital Kiev early on Saturday.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine wrote in the Telegram messaging application that in one place a fire broke out in a non-residential building, while in another area the debris of missiles that fell on an open area damaged the windows of nearby buildings.

During the attack, Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram, “There are explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack.”

Stating that two people died and seven people were injured in the Dnipropetrovsk region, regional Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko said that apartment buildings and private houses were damaged in the attacks.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched nine missiles and 62 drones, of which four missiles and 50 drones were captured.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense said its air defense shot down 121 Ukrainian drones over Russia overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that such attacks intensify Ukraine’s need for Patriot defense systems.

He wrote in English on

“America, Europe and the G7 countries can help ensure that such attacks no longer threaten lives,” he said.

Zelenskyy hopes that Ukraine will be able to purchase 25 Patriots from the United States to strengthen its air defense, especially in cities.

Zelenskyy called on the USA on Friday: Expands sanctions on Russian oil The two companies called on the entire industry to use long-range missiles to hit Russia.

Zelenskyy was in London to meet with two dozen European leaders. promised military aid To protect his country from future Russian aggression in case the ceasefire stops more than three years of war.

The meeting, hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aimed to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and give impetus to recent measures including: a new round of sanctions About Russia’s vital oil and gas export earnings from the United States and European countries.

The talks also discussed ways to help protect Ukraine’s power grid from Russian attacks. drone and missile attacks almost every day As winter approaches, Ukraine’s air defenses are being strengthened and Kiev is being supplied with longer-range missiles that can strike deep into Russia. Zelenskyy called on the US to send Tomahawk missiles; US President Donald Trump also evaluated this idea.

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation, said on Friday that he believes Russia, the United States and Ukraine are “pretty close to a diplomatic solution” that would end the three-year war.

Speaking to CNN after coming to Washington to meet with US officials, Dmitriev said that the planned summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest has not been canceled, but will probably take place later.

Trump said on Tuesday: schedule a quick meeting He had put the meeting with Putin on hold because he did not want it to be a “waste of time”.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made it clear in a public statement on Tuesday that Russia is against an immediate ceasefire.

A White House official confirmed Friday that Dmitriev, who announced his visit in X, will meet with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the private meeting publicly.

Morton reported from London.