A large-scale Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight into Wednesday killed at least five people and wounded 35 others, according to Ukrainian media. The strikes damaged residential buildings, a school and several warehouses, marking a definitive end to a brief lull in attacks on the capital and Moscow that had coincided with a weekend visit by US envoys.
In a separate incident, a Russian drone strike hit a checkpoint on Ukraine's border with Moldova, killing and wounding civilians, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported on Wednesday. The attack targeted the Starokozache international road checkpoint, which has now been closed, the service said in a Telegram post. It did not specify the number of casualties but confirmed that fires had broken out near the checkpoint.
Zelenskyy in Norway for talks and royal farewell
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Norway on Tuesday, the eve of the funeral of King Harald V, using the visit to hold talks with Oslo on strengthening air defence. He met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Tuesday evening, according to the premier's office.
“We will discuss continued support for Ukraine. The main issue is strengthening air defence and assistance in other areas that are important for getting through the winter,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. He and his wife would also “express our gratitude to Norway at the farewell ceremony for His Majesty King Harald V,” who died last month at the age of 89 and will be buried in Oslo on Wednesday.
Støre's office said the talks would focus on how Norwegian military and civilian assistance can best meet Ukraine's current needs, with a particular emphasis on air-defence systems. No press briefing is planned for security reasons.
Zelenskyy has been vocal about Ukraine's vulnerabilities. “Our weak point is anti-ballistic capabilities. We will grow stronger. I will have meetings in both Norway and Canada,” he said on Sunday. “We must develop our own Ukrainian anti-ballistic system.”
Norway has been one of the largest providers of military and civilian aid to Kyiv since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The country has supplied air-defence systems, artillery, and financial support, and has pledged continued assistance through the winter.
Earlier on Tuesday, the United Kingdom announced a £100 million (€116 million) package to boost Ukraine's air-defence capabilities this winter, including Patriot missiles. The UK defence ministry said the contribution would also include “air defence interceptors, large-calibre artillery rounds and drones” as part of a NATO programme supporting Kyiv. The Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), established in 2022 by the US Department of Defence and NATO, coordinates such deliveries.
The renewed attacks on Kyiv come as European allies step up their support. A proposed EU custodian plan could unlock frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, providing additional financial leverage. Meanwhile, Berlin is planning a digital shield against Russian hybrid sabotage, reflecting growing concerns about Moscow's broader tactics.
In a related development, Latvia has become the first EU state to ban Russian and Belarusian print imports, a move that underscores the Baltic region's determination to counter Russian influence. And Hungary expelled ten Russian diplomats over what it called “unacceptable” activities, signalling a rare rift in an otherwise Moscow-friendly government.
The overnight assault on Kyiv is a stark reminder of the war's ongoing toll. As winter approaches, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stressed the urgent need for more air-defence systems to protect critical infrastructure and civilian lives. The latest strikes, which hit a school and warehouses, have heightened those calls.
“We are preparing to face a difficult winter,” Støre's office said, echoing Zelenskyy's warnings. The Norwegian prime minister's office added that the talks would explore how to best meet Ukraine's needs, both militarily and in terms of civilian assistance.
Zelenskyy's visit to Norway also carries symbolic weight, coming as Europe mourns the passing of King Harald V, a monarch who was widely respected for his steadfast support of democratic values. The Ukrainian president's presence at the funeral underscores the strong ties between Kyiv and Oslo, even as the war continues to reshape the continent's security landscape.
