Zelensky: Russia Exploits Iran War as Bombs Rain on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of attempting to wreak "even greater destruction" in his country by exploiting the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

He stated that Ukraine requires air defense systems, regardless of what may be transpiring elsewhere. Many air defense missiles have already been expended in fending off retaliatory strikes amid the conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Zelensky's remarks came after Russia launched another massive aerial assault on Saturday night, killing at least five people.

He noted that approximately 500 drones and missiles were fired during this latest wave of Russian attacks. He further added that while most of the missiles were intercepted, they nonetheless resulted in casualties and property damage across the country.

"The Russians' primary target was the energy infrastructure in the Kyiv region," Zelensky said, "but unfortunately, residential buildings, schools, and civilian commercial facilities also sustained direct hits and damage."

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Ukrainian officials reported that four people were killed and several others injured in the Kyiv region during these latest attacks.

Later, another person was reportedly killed and 18 others injured in a Russian strike on a residential area near Zaporizhzhia.

While this barrage of 430 drones and 68 missiles does not constitute Russia's largest attack to date, it certainly ranks as one of the most significant assaults carried out in recent months.

Zelensky wrote on social media: "Russia will attempt to capitalize on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East to sow even greater destruction here in Europe—specifically in Ukraine." The Ukrainian leader stated that these attacks served to remind Kyiv's allies that air defense systems are a "daily necessity" for Ukraine, and he urged them to provide more such systems as quickly as possible.

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His remarks highlight the fact that missiles used by air defense systems in the Middle East are being depleted rapidly, as U.S. allies in the Gulf attempt to thwart Iran's missile and drone attacks. Zelensky has already expressed concern that, due to this conflict, Ukraine may face difficulties in procuring weapons for its own defense.

Furthermore, the oil supply crisis triggered by Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital shipping lane—could also prove beneficial to Russia's war economy.

When oil prices surged to nearly $100 (£75) per barrel, the Trump administration—in an effort to keep prices in check—temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil that had already been loaded onto ships. While Moscow welcomed this move, Zelensky and several European leaders criticized the decision.

The U.S.-led peace negotiations, aimed at bringing an end to the fighting in Ukraine that has persisted for over four years, have been derailed by the conflict with Iran.

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