Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that intelligence points to the possibility of another major Russian attack on Tuesday evening, speaking in his nightly video address after fresh overnight strikes that he said killed 22 people across Ukraine. He told citizens to remain alert to air raid warnings.
Reading from intelligence assessments, Zelenskiy said, "According to our intelligence, another large-scale attack may occur tonight." The comments followed the overnight barrage that he said injured 130 people and involved what he described as more than 70 missiles and 650 drones.
He reported that Russian forces continued to press attacks through the following day, deploying an additional 100 drones. Zelenskiy emphasized the scale of the assaults and the strain they place on Ukraine's defensive capabilities.
Highlighting a key operational constraint, Zelenskiy said that the current level of air defence supplies available to Ukraine does not allow its forces to intercept a significant portion of incoming missiles. He framed this shortfall as a matter that requires collective action, saying, "All partners together, and everyone in Europe, must continue working to ensure that Ukraine receives air defence missiles, the necessary systems, vital intelligence and other resources that help save lives."
The president also made a plea to the public to heed air raid alerts and warned that the threat could materialize again in the evening hours. His remarks followed the most recent day and overnight rounds of attacks, which he detailed in order to underline both human costs and the operational pressures on Ukraine's defences.
The situation as described centers on three concrete elements reported by the president: the human toll of the overnight strikes, the scale of the weapons and drones employed, and the limited capacity of current air defence inventories to intercept incoming threats. Zelenskiy used these points to call for continued international support for air defence missiles, systems, intelligence and other resources he said are needed to protect civilians and responders.
Context and implications
While the president's address focused on immediate security risks and a request for more defensive supplies, he did not provide additional operational details beyond the numbers of weapons and casualties cited. The appeal was directed at partners and European nations to sustain and increase deliveries of air defence capabilities and related assistance.
Ukrainians were urged to maintain vigilance and to follow air raid alerts as authorities monitor intelligence indicating the potential for renewed large-scale strikes during the evening period.