Zelensky Says U.S. Help Is ‘Absolutely Necessary’ After Deadly Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed for additional support from the United States on Tuesday after Russia launched one of its deadliest attacks in months, with at least 18 people killed and dozens injured.

“Europe needs its own anti-ballistic defense so that this war can finally be brought to an end,” urged Zelensky. “Assistance from the United States in supplying missiles for patriot systems is absolutely necessary.”

Overnight, Russia “launched 656 attack drones and 73 missiles of various types” at Ukraine, Zelensky said.

“If Ukraine is not protected from ballistic and other missile strikes, these attacks will continue,” he argued, as he reiterated his calls for additional assistance. “We are counting on the support of our partners and on effective responses to today’s attack”

Zelensky said Russia’s attack primarily struck the capital Kyiv, “where dozens of residential buildings and other purely civilian infrastructure were damaged again,” and the central-eastern city of Dnipro.

The death toll in Kyiv stands at six, with over 70 people injured, according to an update from Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Local rescuers are continuing operations throughout the city’s districts.

The strikes temporarily cut power to 140,000 residents in Kyiv, according to energy company DTEK. Two engineers were injured while moving to shelter. Electricity has since been restored for the majority. 

In Dnipro, the death toll was estimated to be 12, with over 30 people sustaining injuries, said regional head Oleksandr Hanzha. 

Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz reported one of its key facilities in the northeastern Kharkiv region had been hit. 

“This is a deliberate tactic of terror. This is how Russian forces are attempting to inflict maximum damage not only on infrastructure, but also on the people who are rescuing, repairing, and rebuilding,” said Sergii Koretskyi, CEO of Naftogaz Group.

Ukraine’s Air Force described the overnight assault as a “massive air attack,” saying Russia launched 729 aerial targets, including ballistic missiles and Shahed-type drones.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes were retaliation for what it described as “terrorist acts” carried out by Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had vowed to seek retaliation after accusing Kyiv of carrying out an attack on a student dormitory in a Russia-controlled part of eastern Ukraine on May 22.

Ukraine’s military said it had struck an elite drone command unit in the area. Andrii Melnyk, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, denied the allegation related to the dormitory last week, calling it a “fake story” and a Russian “propaganda narrative” during a U.N. Security Council meeting. 

Putin’s spokesperson has since said that the war is facing “a completely different paradigm.”

On Tuesday, local officials in Russia’s southern ⁠Krasnodar region reported that the Ilsky oil refinery was on fire after it was struck by overnight Ukrainian attacks. The fire has since been put out. 

Kyiv has targeted a number of oil refineries in Russia as of late. Ukrainian officials have said the strikes are intended to disrupt Moscow’s war financing capacity rather than solely battlefield targets, as the facilities are central to Russia’s export economy. 

The latest escalation in the conflict follows one of Russia’s heaviest bombardments of the war in May.

Since then, Zelensky has reiterated the need for further Western support. 

Last week, he sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump and members of Congress requesting additional air defense systems.

“There is not enough anti-ballistic missile production in the United States and this could lead to a crisis in different parts of the world,” Zelensky said. “Russia is ramping up its internal production of ballistic missiles. I sent a letter to the White House and to the U.S. Congress. I hope they will understand and respond.”

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has also urged allies to take “concrete steps.”

“Peace efforts will only succeed when they are backed with real pressure on Moscow,” he argued, calling for tougher sanctions and expanded military support.