Zelenskyy urges western allies to 'act now' after Russia's massive missile, drone attack on Ukraine

In retaliation to Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region, Russia launched over 100 missiles and drones at Kyiv on Monday. At least five people were killed and major energy facilities were hit in the attack. 

Ukraine accused Russia of 'calculated attacks' targeting its power grids and critical infrastructure ahead of winter when people require electricity and heating the most.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia's overnight barrage on Ukraine involved over 100 missiles and about 100 drones. "It was one of the biggest combined strikes...And like most previous Russian strikes, this one is just as sneaky, targeting critical civilian infrastructure," he said. 

Zelenskyy said the energy sector suffered a lot of damage.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said 15 regions had sustained damage. 

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said there would have to be a Russian response to Ukraine's incursion. "Such hostile actions cannot remain without an appropriate response," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. 

Putin had said that Ukraine would receive a "worthy response". 

Amid Russia’s massive strike, Zelenskyy called upon the Western partners to step up their assistance. 

"Currently, across the country, efforts are underway to eliminate the consequences of the Russian strike...Across Ukraine, we could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbours operated in concert with our F-16s and air defence systems. If such unity has proven effective in the Middle East, it must work in Europe too," said the Ukrainian leader. 

“Ukraine cannot be constrained in its long-range capabilities when the terrorists face no such limitations,” he said.

Zelenskyy said the US, UK, France and other partners have the power to help us stop this terror. “The time for decisive action is now.”

The Kremlin also dismissed any talks on negotiations. "The topic of negotiations at the moment has lost its relevance," said the spokesperson.  

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers smashed through the Russian border on August 6 in a surprise attack that Russian President Vladimir Putin said was aimed at improving Kyiv's negotiating position ahead of possible talks and slowing the advance of Russian forces along the front.