Russia Pounds Zaporizhzhia with Drones as Zelenskyy Urges Faster Air Defense

WISE NEWS PRESS / ZAPORIZHZHIA, UKRAINE — JAN. 2, 2026

Russia launched one of its most intense drone attacks on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia overnight, damaging critical civilian infrastructure and housing, while Ukrainian forces reported intercepting the majority of the incoming threats.

The barrage, which follows a massive New Year’s Day assault, has intensified Kyiv’s urgent pleas for Western allies to accelerate the delivery of air defense systems to protect civilian centers.

Infrastructure under fire

According to local officials, Friday night’s attack utilized a swarm of loitering munitions. Zaporizhzhia Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov reported via Telegram that at least nine Russian drones struck the city, causing significant damage to residential areas and civil infrastructure. Fedorov confirmed that, despite the destruction, no casualties were reported.

The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russia launched a total of 116 long-range drones overnight. Air defense units successfully shot down 86 of them, while 27 managed to reach their targets. This wave of strikes comes just 24 hours after Russia utilized over 200 drones on January 1, a move President Volodimir Zelenskyy described as an attempt to "drag the war into the new year."

Zelenskyy: 'Killings must stop'

In a video address appealing to the international community, President Zelenskyy emphasized that defensive aid cannot be paused for the holidays.

"Killings must be stopped. There can be no pause in protecting human life. If attacks do not stop even during the New Year holidays, air defense shipments cannot be delayed either. Our allies have the necessary means," Zelenskyy said.

The President also announced a series of high-level diplomatic meetings in Europe in the coming days. Specifically, a "Coalition of the Willing" leader-level meeting is scheduled for January 6. "Our goal is to increase support, strengthen security guarantees, and consolidate political determination for the peace process," he added.

Mutual accusations and intelligence skepticism

As kinetic strikes continue, the information war has also escalated. Moscow accused Ukrainian forces of striking a hotel and café in Russian-occupied southern regions, claiming 27 deaths.

Dmytro Lykhoviy, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, categorically denied targeting civilians, telling AFP that Ukraine "adheres to international humanitarian law and strikes only enemy military targets." He dismissed the Russian claims as "disinformation."

Tensions have been further inflamed by Kremlin allegations that Ukraine attempted a drone strike on President Vladimir Putin’s residence. Russia released footage purportedly showing the incident, though independent verification remains unavailable.

Western officials have cast doubt on these claims. Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, labeled Moscow's accusations as "baseless" and a distraction tactic. Similarly, U.S. sources reported that the CIA briefed President Donald Trump, stating there is no intelligence to support the claim that Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence.

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