Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Friday that Ukraine is preparing for "big attacks" by Russia as soon as Friday or Saturday night, based on intelligence. In an exclusive interview with CBS News' Face the Nation, Zelenskyy said the assault will involve drones as well as cruise and ballistic missiles.
"Our people have to be very careful," he said. "High percent - nobody knows 100% - but there is a high percent."
Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. and Europe for sharing intelligence but stressed the urgent need for defensive weapons, particularly Patriot missile systems. In a letter to Congress and President Trump dated Tuesday, he cited a devastating Russian attack on Sunday that left two dead and 83 wounded.
During that bombardment, Russia launched over 600 drones and dozens of missiles, including an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile with nuclear capabilities. It was the largest aerial assault on Kyiv since the war began in 2022.
Russia also struck infrastructure near the Romanian border. One drone entered NATO-member Romania's airspace and hit an apartment building. A Russian drone struck a Turkish-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea, wounding two crew members.
NATO condemned the "reckless behavior" and pledged to defend every inch of allied territory. The U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, posted Friday: "We stand with our NATO Ally Romania and condemn this reckless incursion."
Zelenskyy believes Putin is testing NATO's air defenses and pressuring Ukraine's neighbors to stop supporting Kyiv. "The reaction has to be stronger from the unity of NATO countries," he said.