Ukrainian rescue workers work at the site of a Russian airstrike in Zaporizhzhia on August 11, 2026, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Darya Nazarova | AFP | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for an escalation of war and called on Russia’s partners to step up sanctions pressure on Moscow and provide further air defense support to Kiev.
His comments came on the heels of deadly attacks across Ukraine by Russia overnight. At the same time, Ukraine continues to carry out long-range drone strikes deep into Russian territory, targeting Amazon-style retail giant Wildberry and other companies.
President Zelenskyy said in a social media post on Tuesday that emergency response operations continue in Zaporizhzhia, which was hit by a North Korean ballistic missile on Monday night.
Ukraine’s president described the attack as a “vicious attack” that left six people dead and 19 injured. Separate attacks were reported in Kiev and Dnipropetrovsk during the night, leaving at least three people dead.
“Every step Russia takes – increasing production of ballistic missiles, introducing North Korean equipment, preparing for mobilization – all shows that Russia is preparing for escalation, not peace. And the world needs to respond now, not wait,” Zelenskiy said via X.
“Increased sanctions pressure, especially on Russia’s war-mongering companies, and increased air defense support to Ukraine, all of which are needed to give peace a chance. We are grateful to everyone who is helping,” he added.
The Russian military has increased the number of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, likely in an effort to take advantage of Kiev’s shortage of anti-ballistic missiles.
Ukraine remains heavily dependent on the U.S. Patriot PAC-3 system to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, even as domestic companies such as Fire Point scramble to acquire their own anti-missile technology.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at the Serbian Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
President Zelensky has repeatedly called on international partners to speed up the supply of anti-ballistic missiles to Ukraine, saying the technology could have saved the lives of those killed in Kiev on August 5.
US President Donald Trump last month questioned whether the US government would allow Kiev to manufacture Patriots domestically and in Europe.
The apparent setback has raised alarm among Ukrainian officials who fear a winter assault could pose the war’s toughest challenge yet.
