Zelenskyy seeks Canada's winter defence support as Russian attacks intensify

Zelenskyy met Prime Minister Mark Carney in Canada to seek military and winter support for Ukraine. The visit underlined Kyiv's urgent need for stronger air defences as Russian attacks intensify and peace efforts stall.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Canada on Thursday for talks with Prime Minister Mark Carney, as he sought to secure future support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The visit comes as Ukraine faces continued pressure from Russia's air campaign and as recent US efforts to halt the fighting have produced no major breakthrough.Ukraine says Moscow has been using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones to break through its defences, while attacks on the country's power grid ahead of winter are aimed at demoralising civilians. Washington-brokered talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv are expected to continue, though they have so far not led to any significant progress.In a social media post, Zelenskyy said, "The main focus will be on supporting Ukraine in protecting our skies and preparing for the winter." He added, "We will discuss how to strengthen our resilience, support our people, and ensure that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself."Zelenskyy's arrival in Calgary, Alberta, on Wednesday night came a day after his flight from Moldova to Norway was delayed because authorities closed Moldova's airspace following a drone incursion. The drone conflict between Russia and Ukraine has grown in scale since Russia launched its full invasion in February 2022, and Ukraine's neighbours Romania and Moldova have reported repeated drone incursions. In Russia, local officials said a Ukrainian sea drone wounded 28 people, including two children, on the waterfront in Sochi. They said beach infrastructure was damaged but gave no further details. Russia's Ministry of Defence said its forces shot down 448 Ukrainian drones overnight over 13 Russian regions, as well as the annexed Crimean peninsula and the Black and Caspian seas.In Russia's southwestern Voronezh region, local Governor Alexander Gusev said falling debris from a Ukrainian drone set a house on fire, killing one woman and injuring two others. As Zelenskyy held talks in Canada, the wider conflict continued to be marked by intensifying drone attacks, pressure on civilians and efforts by Ukraine to shore up support before winter. With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 10, 2026 14:06 IST