‘Delays Directly Assist Russia’: Zelensky Slams Slow Delivery of Interceptors

President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized delays in the delivery of air defense interceptors for Patriot and NASAMS systems on Tuesday, Oct. 27, saying they directly help Russia carry out its attacks.

“The artificial and prolonged delays in the delivery of interceptor packages for Patriot and NASAMS systems – which have unfortunately been occurring recently – directly assist Russia in achieving the goals of its terrorist campaign,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

“Every such delay results in another Russian strike hitting a target. Sadly, these attacks happen every single day,” he added, calling for stronger pressure on Moscow and timely military assistance to Kyiv.

The overnight attack hit Kyiv, including the Pivdennyi (South) Bridge, as well as energy, logistics, and civilian infrastructure in multiple regions.

At the time, Zelensky said the number of people injured in the Russian strike on a university campus and surrounding area had risen to 12, including five university students and staff. However, per updated reports, the overnight assault resulted in one person killed and 15 others injured.

“While emergency services were assisting people and addressing the aftermath of the initial strike, the Russians launched ballistic missiles again,” Zelensky wrote.

He said Russia had fired 16 ballistic missiles overnight, along with more than 280 drones.

According to Zelensky, Russian strikes were reported in Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Kherson, and the Chernivtsi regions.

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“In almost every instance, the Russian targets were energy infrastructure, logistics, and civilian urban infrastructure,” he said.

Zelensky stressed that pressure on Russia and concrete support for Ukraine were necessary to change the situation. He thanked those who support Ukraine’s defense and understand the importance of ensuring that military aid arrives on time.

“We must bring peace closer and save lives,” he said.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down or neutralized two Russian Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles and 255 drones during an overnight attack primarily targeting Kyiv, the Air Force reported.

Impacts were recorded at 25 locations, while debris from intercepted targets fell at 16 locations.

The attack prompted the closure of Kyiv’s South (Pivdennyi) Bridge and disruptions on the Green Line metro. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko released the first photos showing damage to the bridge, which remains closed as specialists assess the damage.

Authorities have not announced when traffic or normal metro service will resume.

In Kyiv, strikes also damaged an administrative building in the Podilskyi district and other non-residential buildings.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has asked the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland to provide 10% of their existing stocks of Patriot and IRIS-T interceptor missiles to help defend against Russian attacks.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara said Kyiv proposed exchanging the missiles for ammunition already contracted for future delivery. Ukraine also needs additional man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

Following talks in Paris, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said European partners had prepared winter aid packages for Ukraine and were working with Kyiv to develop an air defense system.

On Monday, Oct. 26, Zelensky said Ukraine had waited nearly a month for US approval of Patriot and NASAMS missiles and would raise the issue with Washington again.

He said Ukraine received only 24 Patriot interceptors from the US over 90 days, despite needing around 350 per month, and has sought 300 interceptors from European partners for winter.