Zelensky: Russia fires over 100 ballistic missiles at Kyiv, region in two weeks

President Volodymyr Zelensky described several Russian ballistic-missile attacks against Kyiv and the Kyiv region during October. He said the attacks had continued since October 14 and were part of a wider campaign against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The scale matters because Kyiv is both the capital and a major transport and administrative center.

Zelensky said a recent strike damaged a university campus, residential buildings, a metro station and metro lines. Russian forces also struck the Southern Bridge, which he called one of Kyiv’s key logistical arteries. The attacks therefore affected public services, homes and routes used to move people and supplies.

Zelensky said Russia was also attacking Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy and Kherson. Ukraine is seeking stronger support packages and more air-defense supplies, especially Patriot missiles, to protect energy facilities, infrastructure and logistics from further attacks.

President Zelensky said that more than 100 ballistic missiles had been launched against Kyiv and the Kyiv region in the two weeks since October 14. That figure describes the number of missiles he attributed to Russian attacks during that period. It highlights the intensity of the strikes rather than a single isolated incident.

The missiles were used in several attacks during October. Zelensky linked the attacks to Russian efforts against Ukraine’s energy sector, infrastructure and logistics. A recent strike damaged a university campus, residential buildings, a metro station, metro lines and the Southern Bridge in Kyiv.

The reported number also explains Ukraine’s urgent requests for additional air-defense support. Zelensky said delays in receiving missiles for Patriot systems were making defense more difficult. He called for timely support and necessary authorizations for Patriot supplies, especially from the United States.

A ballistic missile is a missile that rises through the atmosphere on a high, arcing path before descending toward its target. Its engine usually powers only part of the flight. After that, the missile follows a largely unpowered trajectory shaped by speed, gravity and its launch direction. The term describes its flight pattern.

Many cruise missiles work differently. They generally fly more like aircraft through the atmosphere and use engines for much of their journey. Ballistic missiles can travel at very high speeds and may approach from above, giving defenders less time to respond. Some systems can also change their path during flight.

The article does not define ballistic missiles, but it reports that Russia used them repeatedly against Kyiv and the region. Zelensky said Ukraine needs Patriot and other air-defense capabilities because delays in receiving interceptor missiles are making it harder to defend against these attacks.

The attacks affected the systems that keep a city functioning. Zelensky said Russia was targeting energy facilities, logistics and ordinary urban infrastructure. These targets matter because electricity supports essential services, while roads, bridges and public transport move people, food, equipment and other supplies.

In a recent Kyiv strike, a university campus, residential buildings, a metro station and metro lines were damaged. Russian forces also struck the Southern Bridge, which Zelensky identified as one of the capital’s key logistical arteries. The article further reports continuing attacks on cities including Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy and Kherson.

Ukraine is trying to protect its energy system, infrastructure and logistics with new support packages from partners. Zelensky said air-defense delays, including delayed Patriot missiles, make it harder to shield these civilian and strategic targets from ballistic missiles.

Patriot and NASAMS are modern ground-based air-defense systems. Patriot is designed to counter aircraft and some missile threats, including ballistic missiles. NASAMS is designed mainly to engage aircraft and cruise-missile threats. Both depend on radar, command systems, launchers and interceptor missiles working together.

An interceptor is the defensive missile fired toward an incoming weapon. Without enough suitable interceptors, even a capable air-defense network has fewer chances to stop an attack. Zelensky specifically said delays in delivering missiles for Patriot systems were making it harder for Ukraine to protect itself against Russian ballistic missiles. He also mentioned Patriot and NASAMS supplies.

The article says Ukraine is seeking support from its partners, especially the United States, where Patriot-related decisions depend on necessary Pentagon authorizations. Zelensky said stronger and faster support would put Ukraine in a much better position to protect its energy system, infrastructure and logistics.

When missiles repeatedly damage energy and transport infrastructure, a city can lose reliable electricity, public transit and safe routes. Homes and public buildings may become unusable. Businesses can face interruptions, workers may struggle to travel, and emergency services may need to operate under pressure. Repairs also consume money, materials and time.

The article gives a direct Kyiv example. A strike damaged residential buildings, a university campus, a metro station, metro lines and the Southern Bridge. Damage to the bridge and metro can disrupt movement across the capital. Attacks on energy facilities can threaten the power needed by homes, hospitals, businesses and transport systems.

The longer-term effects depend on the damage and the speed of repairs, but repeated attacks make recovery harder. Zelensky said Russia was continuing to target energy, logistics and urban infrastructure. Ukraine is therefore seeking new support packages and air defense to reduce further damage.

Modern air-defense networks use radar and other sensors to detect an incoming missile. Command systems estimate its path and decide whether it threatens a defended area. A launcher can then fire an interceptor, which uses guidance to approach and destroy the incoming weapon or otherwise stop it from reaching its target. Ballistic missiles are difficult because they can be fast and descend steeply.

This process depends on several parts working together. The system needs functioning sensors, trained crews, launchers and enough suitable interceptor missiles. It may also need several defensive attempts against a single attack. If missiles arrive in large numbers, available interceptors can be used quickly.

The article says delays in Patriot missile deliveries are making it harder for Ukraine to defend itself against Russian ballistic missiles. Zelensky is seeking timely support and Pentagon authorizations, while Ukraine works to protect energy facilities, infrastructure and logistics from continuing attacks.