KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday called on European capitals to develop their own air defense systems and pressed Washington for more Patriot missile supplies, hours after a Russian drone and missile barrage killed at least 13 people and wounded 100 across Ukraine.
“Europe needs its own anti-ballistic defence so that this war can finally be brought to an end. And assistance from the United States in supplying missiles for Patriot systems is absolutely necessary,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. He added that Moscow’s message was clear: without protection from ballistic and other strikes, the attacks will continue.
The appeal came as Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia had launched 73 missiles and 656 drones in the latest wave. Kyiv said it intercepted 602 drones and 40 missiles, but acknowledged it struggles to down ballistic missiles. In May, Russia launched a record 8,150 long-range drones at Ukraine, a 24% increase from April, according to an AFP analysis of Ukrainian air force data.
Diplomatic Push Amid Escalation
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reinforced Zelenskyy’s message, describing President Vladimir Putin as a “war criminal and loser who has no cards except terror.” In a social media statement, Sybiha said: “Moscow is losing on the battlefield. No number of missiles can change this. Terrorists in Moscow must realise that their brutal attacks won’t bring them anywhere.”
The strikes come after a brief three-day ceasefire mediated by the United States last month, which was marred by mutual accusations of violations. Hopes for a longer truce have faded as the White House remains preoccupied with the Iran war. The uptick in violence has further dimmed already slim prospects for peace in a conflict that has become the bloodiest on European soil since World War II, with hundreds of thousands killed and millions displaced.
Russia’s defense ministry confirmed it had carried out a large-scale strike, including with hypersonic missiles, targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. It denies targeting civilians.
In a separate incident, a Ukrainian drone strike killed one person in Russia’s Kursk region, according to regional governor Alexander Khinshtein. Another drone sparked a fire at an oil refinery in the southwestern city of Krasnodar, its operational headquarters reported on Telegram.
Zelenskyy had warned last week that Ukraine had intelligence indicating Russia was preparing a new massive attack and urged citizens to heed air raid sirens, go to shelters, and “protect your lives.” The latest barrage underscores the persistent vulnerability of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, despite high interception rates for drones and cruise missiles.
The call for European self-reliance in air defense reflects a broader frustration in Kyiv with the pace and scale of Western military aid. While EU member states have provided billions in support, the war has exposed gaps in continental defense capabilities. France’s recent decision to bar Israeli offensive arms from the Eurosatory defence fair highlights the complex geopolitics of arms supplies.
As the conflict grinds into its fourth year, the need for a coordinated European air defense strategy has become a recurring theme in Kyiv’s diplomatic messaging. Whether Berlin, Paris, or Brussels will respond with concrete plans remains an open question.
