Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to press NATO member states for more advanced air defence systems during the upcoming NATO meeting in Turkey. This comes amid a surge in Russian strikes, including the firing of 430 unmanned aerial drones towards Moscow overnight, most of which were intercepted according to Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Zelensky expressed frustration over the insufficient production of interceptor missiles, stating in a video address, "It is simply absurd that, in today's world, production has still not been scaled up to the level actually required to protect people from ballistic terror."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged member states to "pull their weight" to ensure Ukraine receives the necessary support to defend its sovereignty. He highlighted Kyiv's efforts in stalling Russian ground troops in the east, aided by recent drone strikes that have given Ukraine a tactical edge.

Meanwhile, Moscow accuses Kyiv of "terrorism" for targeting its oil refineries with drones, escalating the conflict's intensity. The situation in Russia has been described by a local resident to the BBC as "catastrophic," reminiscent of the turbulent 1990s following the USSR's collapse.

Zelensky voiced hope that the NATO meeting would not be "empty," emphasizing Kyiv's desire to end the war swiftly, either through "strength or diplomacy," before another harsh winter arrives.

Sources