Zelenskyy urges allies to release Patriot missiles after deadly Russian attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the United States and European countries to provide Ukraine with more Patriot interceptor missiles, saying keeping them in allied stockpiles encourages Russia to continue attacks on residential areas.

Zelenskyy called for "strong decisions" at the NATO summit in Ankara to strengthen Ukraine's air defences, saying Russian ballistic missiles remained difficult to intercept because of a shortage of interceptor missiles.

"As long as missiles for Patriot systems remain in allied warehouses, this only encourages Russia to continue 'winning' against residential buildings. The United States and Europe have the power to stop this terror," Zelenskyy said.

His comments came after Russian forces launched 68 missiles and 351 attack drones at Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight.

Zelenskyy said 11 people were killed and about 60 injured in Kyiv, while rescue workers saved 64 people, including two children.

In the Kyiv region, a missile strike caused a fire at a private home, killing three people and injuring 16, according to the Ukrainian president.

More than 400 police officers and rescue workers have been deployed to assist those affected and carry out emergency operations.

Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had demonstrated high effectiveness in intercepting drones and cruise missiles but that ballistic missiles remained a major challenge because of shortages of interceptor missiles.