Zelensky to Press NATO for Air Defence Systems After Intense Russian Strikes

New Delhi, India Jul 7, 2026 ALN: Ukraine's president plans to use the NATO meeting in Turkey to urge Kyiv's allies to deliver the air defence systems it urgently needs to protect it from escalating Russian attacks.

Volodymyr Zelensky's call for help rings with extra intensity after Russian missiles rained down on the Ukrainian capital twice in less than a week, crashing into blocks of flats and killing more than 50 civilians. These attacks have heightened the urgency for Ukraine to bolster its air defence capabilities, particularly as Russian strikes have become more frequent and devastating.

The summit in Ankara will also be a chance for Zelensky to hold a crucial meeting with Donald Trump and press home his case that Russia's "brutal" attacks are a show of weakness, not strength, and that Vladimir Putin should be pressured into talks towards a "dignified" peace. The meeting comes amid a complex geopolitical landscape where the actions of major leaders can significantly influence the trajectory of the ongoing conflict.

The latest strikes on Ukraine come as it has been stepping up its own long-range drone attacks against Russia, hitting oil refineries and military targets there and causing significant fuel shortages and power cuts. This tit-for-tat escalation highlights the evolving nature of warfare in the region, where both sides are increasingly relying on advanced technology and unconventional tactics to gain an upper hand.

Underscoring that threat, Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin said anti-air defences intercepted "most" of the 430 unmanned aerial drones fired by Ukraine towards the capital overnight. The severity of the damage was not immediately clear. This statistic reflects the scale of the drone warfare being waged, which has become a hallmark of the current conflict, with both sides deploying drones for reconnaissance and strikes.

Russian social media accounts are full of videos of people queuing for hours to buy petrol and fighting over what little they're allowed. These images serve as a stark reminder of the war's impact on civilian life, not only in Ukraine but also within Russia, where shortages and economic instability are beginning to take a toll on the populace. The public sentiment in Russia is shifting, with many citizens experiencing the consequences of the conflict firsthand.

On the eve of the NATO gathering, which will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Zelensky voiced hope that the meeting in Turkey would not be "empty." His expectations reflect a desire for tangible outcomes, particularly in terms of military support, which he believes is critical for Ukraine's survival and sovereignty. Zelensky's previous appeals to NATO have emphasized the need for more robust support in the face of Russian aggression.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged member states to "pull their weight" and ensure Ukraine gets what it needs "to defend its sovereignty." He underlined that Kyiv was "changing the dynamic on the battlefield," referring to efforts to stall Russian ground troops in the east. This acknowledgment from NATO leadership indicates a recognition of Ukraine's resilience and adaptability in the face of overwhelming odds.

That's also about the recent drone strikes, apparently giving Ukraine an edge. The phrase of the month here is "window of opportunity," suggesting that there may be a fleeting chance for Ukraine to capitalize on its recent successes. However, as the war in the skies has intensified, Russia's ballistic missiles are causing Kyiv real problems.

Ukraine's air force issues a daily tally of the weapons Moscow launches alongside the number intercepted. On Monday, almost all drones were blocked successfully, but the failure rate for missiles was glaringly obvious. Ukraine did not stop a single ballistic missile in that attack. This stark contrast highlights the challenges faced by Ukraine's air defence systems, which are currently overwhelmed by the sophistication and speed of Russian missile technology.

It isn't easy: they fly at several thousand kilometres an hour, and there just aren't enough US-made Patriot air defence missiles in Ukraine to counter them. "It is simply absurd that, in today's , production has still not been scaled up to the level actually required to protect people from ballistic terror," Zelensky said, venting his frustration in a video address on Monday. His comments underscore the urgent need for increased military aid and production capabilities to address the evolving threats posed by Russian weaponry.

He has been calling on European allies to hand over their own stockpiles of Patriot missiles, arguing that they're no good to anyone in storage when civilians are being killed now in Ukraine. "Russia is placing its bets on ballistic weapons, and those who want peace must place their bets on protection against ballistic attacks," Zelensky argues, setting out his case for meetings in Ankara. His argument is not only about immediate military needs but also about the broader implications for European security and stability.

But Patriot systems are in short supply wide, and it's not clear how many would ever be enough if Russia were to escalate its ballistic attacks further. This scarcity presents a logistical challenge for NATO and its allies, who must balance their own military needs with the urgent demands coming from Ukraine. That's why Zelensky also talks about Ukraine producing its own equivalent, with NATO help, emphasizing the need for self-reliance in defense capabilities.

The Russian attacks, though, do suggest that Ukraine's deep strikes are getting under the Kremlin's skin. After years of Russia targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including power stations in mid-winter, Moscow now accuses Kyiv of "terrorism" for hitting its oil refineries with drones. This shift in narrative reflects a desperation on the part of the Kremlin, as it grapples with the implications of Ukraine's ability to strike back effectively.

Zelensky calls it an "influence campaign," and he will be keen to share details with NATO allies. The aim is to pressure Putin into peace talks on terms that Kyiv could stomach – that doesn't include surrendering the entire eastern Donbas region, as Moscow still demands. This diplomatic maneuvering is crucial as Ukraine seeks to navigate the complexities of international relations while maintaining its territorial integrity.

The campaign targets have been high profile. An oil terminal in St Petersburg was hit with drones ahead of Putin's showpiece economic forum in the city in June. Then there were strikes on a refinery in Moscow itself, creating explosion videos that went viral. Now there's a confirmed hit on an oil refinery in Omsk, Siberia, 2,500 km from Ukraine's border. The drone must have flown undetected for many hours, which shows how stretched Russia's own air defenses actually are. These successful strikes serve to bolster Ukraine's image and narrative of resistance, showcasing its tactical capabilities.

Ukraine's "influence" efforts also include Crimea, the peninsula which Putin seized in 2014 and which is deeply important to him personally. Ukrainian drones are now hitting military logistics, oil refineries, and power plants there almost every day, causing power cuts, fuel, and food shortages and an official state of emergency. A local resident told the BBC the situation was "catastrophic," reminiscent of the turbulent 1990s after the USSR collapsed. This comparison highlights the societal and economic turmoil that the conflict has inflicted on the region.

One of Putin's great claims is that he "saved" the country from that chaos, raising Russia "from its knees." Now his all-out war is bringing danger even to Moscow in the form of drone strikes and widespread fuel rationing. This turn of events challenges the narrative of stability that the Kremlin has sought to project, revealing vulnerabilities that could have long-term implications for Russia's domestic and international standing.

So Zelensky will tell NATO, and try to persuade Trump, that Ukraine has turned the tide in this war, and that its campaign of pressure can, with help, compel Russia to engage in proper negotiations for peace. Trump's recent interest in Ukraine, despite his previous ties to Putin, indicates a potential shift in the American political landscape regarding support for Ukraine.

Trump has seemed impressed by Ukraine lately, although he spoke to Putin for 90 minutes by phone this week, giving the Russian leader a chance to get his war story in first. This interaction highlights the delicate balance that leaders must navigate in addressing the conflict, as diplomatic engagement with Russia continues to be a contentious issue.

Above all, Kyiv wants to end this war fast, through "strength or diplomacy," before another gruelling winter kicks in. The urgency of the situation is palpable, as the humanitarian impact of the conflict continues to escalate. But to have any chance of that, Zelensky will argue, Ukraine needs more interceptor missiles to protect its cities and civilians. The stakes are high, and the outcome of the NATO meeting could have significant implications for the future of the conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape.