In brief: President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Russian forces used North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles in an overnight strike on a key Ukrainian energy facility, with air defenses able to intercept only four of 36 ballistic missiles due to an acute shortage of Patriot interceptors. The president urged Washington to expedite missile deliveries ahead of the winter season and trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
Russian forces used North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles in an overnight strike on a key Ukrainian energy facility, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday, Nov. 7, following an emergency government conference on recovery operations.
Zelensky said air defenses intercepted only four of the 36 ballistic missiles fired overnight, pointing to an acute deficit of surface-to-air interceptors for US-made Patriot systems.
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“In the strike tonight, there were 36 missiles approaching targets on a ballistic trajectory. Only four missiles could be neutralized,” Zelensky wrote on Facebook.
Preliminary forensic examinations conducted at impact sites confirmed that Russian forces launched KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles manufactured and supplied by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) against a critical energy facility.
“This is further proof that global sanctions regimes deserve tangible reinforcement – against everyone in the world who provides their ‘services’ in destroying life,” Zelensky said.
Air defense interceptor shortfall
Zelensky emphasized that overcoming the severe deficit of Patriot interceptors depends primarily on the US, especially ahead of planned trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11.
“At all levels, we are seeking ways to accelerate deliveries and convey the necessary signals to the American side so that Ukraine is given the opportunity to defend life,” Zelensky stated.
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“This is needed especially now – not just ahead of winter, but ahead of another attempt together with our partners to activate negotiations.”
The president observed that Moscow approaches diplomacy “as a sub-species of aggression,” using intensified strikes to exert leverage over Kyiv and Western partners.
“By intensifying strikes against Ukraine, against our infrastructure at this precise moment, Russia is attempting to prepare the ground to pressure the Ukrainian position and the position of our partners,” Zelensky said.
“We hope that the United States, like our other partners, will act with resolve.”
Kyiv prepares emergency transport contingencies
During the emergency conference, government ministers and municipal authorities delivered detailed assessments concerning life-support challenges across the capital following strikes on energy substations and the North Bridge.
Zelensky instructed Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi, in coordination with relevant state agencies and the Kyiv City State Administration, to formulate backup transport routes and allocate supplementary public transit vehicles for Kyiv.
The president noted that viable backup transport schemes currently do not exist at the municipal level, requiring immediate administrative planning to prevent urban gridlock during infrastructure disruptions.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi presented reports on energy restoration timelines and repair deployment, while military commanders detailed electronic warfare countermeasures and identified technical vectors to scale defensive jamming.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported on diplomatic coordination ahead of upcoming Group of Seven (G7) ministerial formats where Ukraine will be represented.
“We count on new contributions from European countries to the PURL [Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List] program: preliminary commitments exist,” Zelensky said.
“There will also be new energy support packages for Ukraine, as well as new supplies for our logistics.”
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