Zelenskiy Pleads For More Help To Combat Russian 'Terrorist' Attacks

Ukraine facing 'profound change in nature of war', says Macron as missiles hit many civilian targets

- Julian Borger, Peter Beaumont and Dan Sabbagh

Volodymyr Zelenskiy will demand a significant increase in military and diplomatic support from G7 leaders today in response to the biggest Russian missile attack on Ukrainian cities since the war began.

France's president, Emmanuel Macron, described the attack - in which cruise missiles and armed drones rained down on parks, playgrounds, power stations, and other civilian targets - as "a profound change in the nature of this war".

When he speaks to a virtual G7 summit today, Zelenskiy will be seeking an equally profound change in western backing, which Kyiv complains has consistently lagged behind Ukraine's requirements to defend its territory and people.

"We are dealing with terrorists. They have two targets: energy infrastructure and people," the Ukrainian president said.

Zelenskiy's wish list will emphasize anti-aircraft systems and 14 repeat the longstanding demand for longer-range missiles. Diplomatically, Ukraine wants Russia declared a state sponsor of terrorism, and its isolation underlined in a vote beginning yesterday at the UN general assembly, which was due to debate Moscow's land-grab in the east and south of Ukraine.

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, was "deeply shocked" by the attacks, his spokesman said. "This constitutes another unacceptable escalation of the war and, as always, civilians are paying the highest price," the spokesman said.

Germany announced yesterday that it would accelerate delivery of an Iris-T infrared-guided air defence system, saying the first of four batteries would arrive within days.