Russian Strikes Kill Eight In Ukraine As Zelenskyy Seeks Arms

Russia launched a fresh wave of major attacks on Ukrainian cities on Saturday using missiles, glide bombs and drones, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more, according to Ukrainian officials. Following the strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on allied countries to speed up weapons deliveries, warning that the country’s air defence capabilities are under increasing pressure.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine needed stronger coordination with its international partners to ensure defence agreements were implemented quickly. He also stressed the need for greater diplomatic efforts to secure additional military assistance, particularly air defence ammunition.

Ukraine has been facing shortages of ammunition for its air defence systems, with supplies for the Patriot missile defence system becoming increasingly limited. Kyiv has been waiting for further deliveries from partner countries as Russia continues frequent aerial attacks using a combination of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.

One of the deadliest attacks took place in the northern border city of Sumy, where Russia targeted a busy area with two glide bombs. Local authorities said five people were killed and at least 30 others were injured. Officials reported that one of the bombs struck a bus stop. Images released after the attack showed a yellow bus with one side severely torn apart, while nearby residential buildings also suffered damage.

In another incident in a border district of the Sumy region, a man was killed after stepping on an explosive device, according to local officials.

Further attacks were reported in several other Ukrainian cities. In Zaporizhzhia, located in the south-east of the country, a Russian glide bomb strike injured at least 10 people, regional officials said. In the southern port city of Odesa, a missile attack killed two people and injured another. In Kharkiv, a drone strike on a civilian facility left seven people injured.

In a late-night video address, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would adjust its diplomatic approach to strengthen cooperation with partner countries and secure faster implementation of defence agreements. He said commitments made by world leaders needed to be fulfilled fully and without delay.

The Ukrainian president also referred to a recent understanding with US President Donald Trump, under which Ukraine is expected to receive a licence to produce Patriot air defence missiles domestically. Zelenskyy said that arrangement should be put into effect as soon as possible.

Ukraine has repeatedly urged its allies to provide more air defence ammunition, saying that its ability to intercept high-speed ballistic missiles has been limited in recent weeks. Kyiv has also called for cooperation with European countries to develop its own ballistic missile defence capabilities.

The latest wave of attacks continued overnight, with Kyiv coming under fire from ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. At least 12 people were injured in the capital. Zelenskyy said civilian infrastructure had been hit before air raid warnings were issued in some areas.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched six ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 121 drones during the overnight assault before the daytime strikes on Sumy, Odesa and Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed at least two cruise missiles and 111 drones, although they were unable to intercept the ballistic missiles.

Attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas have increased significantly in recent weeks. Ukrainian authorities said more than 60 people have been killed in Russian strikes on the capital region during the current month.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified its own attacks on Russian military supply routes in occupied southern areas. Robert Brovdi, head of Ukraine’s drone forces, said his unit targeted 21 fuel tankers in the Sea of Azov during a single night operation. He also claimed that seven cargo and support vessels were attacked, bringing the total number of vessels targeted by Ukrainian drone operations during the week to 76.

Zelenskyy said the purpose of these drone operations was to increase pressure on Russia and encourage Moscow to return to negotiations. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far shown no indication of changing his position.

Russian officials, meanwhile, reported that a Ukrainian drone attack in the Taganrog Gulf of the Sea of Azov hit four vessels, including a methanol-carrying tanker. They said one person was killed in the incident.

The continued exchange of attacks highlights the growing intensity of the conflict, with both sides increasingly targeting military infrastructure, supply networks and strategic assets while civilian areas remain exposed to the consequences of the ongoing war.