President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has launched more than 100 ballistic missiles against Kyiv and the surrounding region since Oct. 14, as Moscow steps up its assault on the Ukrainian capital and Ukraine's air defenses run short of interceptors.
In his evening address on Oct. 27, Zelensky said the strikes had hammered the capital for two weeks. “In two weeks, more than 100 ballistic missiles have been launched against Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. We are doing everything possible to protect our energy sector, to protect our infrastructure and our logistics. The task is extremely difficult,” he said.
His comments came a day after Russian ballistic missiles hit a university campus, a major bridge, an administrative building and medical facilities in Kyiv, killing one person and injuring 15.
Russia has chosen a strategy of mass aerial strikes against civilians and energy infrastructure ahead of winter, even as its battlefield offensive has slowed, the Kyiv Independent reported. Kyiv, a city of three million people, has been relentlessly assaulted in recent months as Moscow exploits Ukraine's shortage of air defense systems.
Zelensky repeated his call for more air defense missiles, saying Ukraine relies on U.S.-made Patriot systems to intercept ballistic missiles, which are particularly difficult to stop. “Everyone hears, everyone sees that right now, it is difficult for us to defend against Russian ballistic missiles. And above all, we do not have enough missiles for Patriots,” he said.
The Ukrainian president said on Oct. 26 that Kyiv has been waiting nearly a month for U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to approve missiles for its Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems. Ukrainian officials have described the delays and disruptions as another example of political pressure from Washington that could put civilian lives at risk.
“It’s important that the world sees this, that our partners see it in the United States, on which almost everything concerning Patriots depends, so that we get answers and the necessary authorizations from the Pentagon for Patriot supplies,” Zelensky concluded.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Kyiv, a city of three million, is under sustained ballistic missile attack, with more than 100 missiles launched in two weeks.
- Ukraine says it lacks enough Patriot interceptors to defend against these missiles, and that delays in U.S. approval of supplies could put civilian lives at risk.
- The outcome will shape whether Ukraine can protect its energy grid and cities through winter, and test allied resolve in the face of Russian strikes.
Background
Russia's war in Ukraine has featured repeated waves of missiles and drones against cities and infrastructure far from the front line. Ballistic missiles are among the hardest threats to intercept, and Ukraine depends on U.S.-made Patriot systems for that task. With its battlefield offensive slowed, Russia has stepped up aerial strikes against civilian areas and energy infrastructure as winter approaches, according to the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has repeatedly asked allies for more air defense missiles.
Key Perspectives
Volodymyr Zelensky: says more than 100 ballistic missiles have been launched against Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast in two weeks, that Ukraine does not have enough missiles for Patriot systems, and that the Pentagon must provide answers and authorizations.
Ukrainian officials: describe the delays and disruptions in U.S. missile supplies as political pressure from Washington that could put civilian lives at risk.
What to Watch
- Whether U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approves missile supplies for Ukraine's Patriot and NASAMS systems.
- Any further waves of Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and Ukrainian energy infrastructure as winter sets in.
- The response from allied governments to Zelensky's appeal for more air defense missiles.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedRussia fired more than 100 ballistic missiles at Kyiv in two weeks.Kyiv Independent: “Russia launched over 100 ballistic missiles against Kyiv in past two weeks.”
- SupportedPatriot missile shortages are leaving Kyiv exposed.Kyiv Independent: “it is difficult for us to defend against Russian ballistic missiles. And above all, we do not have enough missiles for Patriots”
- Partly supportedRussian ballistic missiles hit a university campus, a major bridge, an administrative building and medical facilities in Kyiv.Kyiv Independent: “Russian ballistic missiles targeted Kyiv in a deadly attack on a university campus, a major bridge, an administrative building, and medical facilities in Kyiv.”
- SupportedZelensky said in his Oct. 27 evening address that more than 100 ballistic missiles had been launched against Kyiv and the surrounding region since Oct. 14.Kyiv Independent: “Russia launched over 100 ballistic missiles against Kyiv and the surrounding region since Oct. 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Oct. 27”
- SupportedZelensky said the attack killed one person and injured 15.Kyiv Independent: “The attack killed one person and injured 15.”
- SupportedThe quote beginning “In two weeks, more than 100 ballistic missiles” is Zelensky’s exact wording.Kyiv Independent: “In two weeks, more than 100 ballistic missiles have been launched against Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. We are doing everything possible to protect our energy sector, to protect our infrastructure and our logistics. The task is extremely difficult,”
- SupportedRussia has chosen mass aerial strikes against civilians and energy infrastructure ahead of winter, while its battlefield offensive has slowed.Kyiv Independent: “While its battlefield offensive has slowed, Russia has chosen a strategy of mass aerial strikes against vulnerable civilians, as well as energy infrastructure ahead of the coming winter months.”
- SupportedThe quote beginning “Everyone hears, everyone sees” is Zelensky’s exact wording.Kyiv Independent: “Everyone hears, everyone sees that right now, it is difficult for us to defend against Russian ballistic missiles. And above all, we do not have enough missiles for Patriots,”
- SupportedUkraine relies on U.S.-made Patriot systems to intercept ballistic missiles, which are particularly difficult to stop.Kyiv Independent: “Ukraine relies on Patriot systems to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, which are particularly difficult to stop, making timely deliveries critical to the country's air defenses .”
- SupportedZelensky said on Oct. 26 that Kyiv had been waiting nearly a month for Pete Hegseth to approve missiles for Patriot and NASAMS systems.Kyiv Independent: “On Oct. 26, the Ukrainian president said that Kyiv has been waiting nearly a month for U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to approve missiles for its Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems.”
- SupportedUkrainian officials described delays and disruptions as political pressure from Washington that could put civilian lives at risk.Kyiv Independent: “Ukrainian officials have described the delays and disruptions as another example of political pressure from Washington that could put civilian lives at risk.”
- SupportedThe closing quote beginning “It’s important that the world sees this” is Zelensky’s exact wording.Kyiv Independent: “It’s important that the world sees this, that our partners see it in the United States, on which almost everything concerning Patriots depends, so that we get answers and the necessary authorizations from the Pentagon for Patriot supplies,”