Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects Russia to launch major attacks against Ukraine within the next 48 hours, based on intelligence shared by the United States and European allies. In an interview with Face the Nation set to air Sunday, Zelensky outlined preparations he said Russian forces are making for strikes using drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic weapons.

"Today at night, or tomorrow at night, we will have, we think that we will have big attacks from Russian side using drones, using cruise missiles and ballistic," Zelensky said. He added that Ukrainian intelligence officials "see the preparation" for the anticipated assault based on information provided by Western partners.

The warning follows a recent large-scale attack on Ukraine that Zelensky described in detail during the interview. According to the Ukrainian president, Russia launched more than 600 Iranian-made drones and approximately 90 missiles, including 30 ballistic missiles, in a single bombardment. "It was very difficult to destroy it," he said. "We used all our weapons, what we have, what we produce, and of course we used anti-ballistic missile. This is the biggest deficit for us."

Zelensky also wrote a five-page letter to President Trump and members of Congress urging them to supply Kyiv with Patriot missile interceptors to defend against Russian barrages. "While we have achieved significant success in defending against all types of drones, Ukraine has not yet built its own capability to produce anti-missile defense systems," he wrote. "When it comes to air defense against missiles, we rely on our friends and partners around the world."

The Ukrainian leader said Russia conducts daily attacks against civilians alongside larger bombardments two times per week or approximately twice every 10 days.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive voices have largely supported continued U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that helping Kyiv defend itself aligns with American interests in countering Russian aggression. Senate Armed Services Committee members have echoed Zelensky's calls for additional air defense systems, noting that Ukrainian forces have demonstrated effectiveness in using Western-provided equipment.

Supporters of aid to Ukraine argue the country serves as a frontline test of whether democratic nations can effectively counter authoritarian military campaigns without direct U.S. troop involvement. House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats have pointed to polling showing majority support among Americans for continuing humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine, though that support has shown signs of erosion in some surveys.

Humanitarian organizations have emphasized the civilian cost of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, with groups including UNICEF and the International Rescue Committee documenting damage to hospitals, schools, and residential areas. These advocates argue that U.S. support for Ukraine's air defense capabilities directly saves lives by protecting civilians from missile attacks.

What the Right Is Saying

Some Republican lawmakers have questioned whether additional military aid to Ukraine represents the best use of American resources, particularly amid domestic budget debates. Critics within the party have called for greater transparency about how previous assistance has been used and what metrics determine success.

A contingent of House Republicans has pushed for a more defined endpoint to U.S. involvement, arguing that European allies should shoulder a larger share of the burden for Ukraine's defense. These voices contend that American taxpayers cannot indefinitely fund another nation's military operations without clearer strategic objectives.

Conservative commentators have also raised concerns about escalation risks, arguing that providing increasingly sophisticated weapons systems could draw the United States deeper into direct confrontation with Russia. Some argue for diplomatic solutions to end the conflict rather than continued military support.

What the Numbers Show

The Biden administration approved more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine across its tenure, making it one of the largest recipients of U.S. military assistance in recent decades. The Trump administration has signaled continued support but has also pushed European allies to increase their contributions.

Ukraine has requested approximately 12 Patriot air defense batteries from Western partners, though production constraints have limited deliveries. Each battery can cost over $400 million, with interceptors running $3-4 million per unit depending on the missile type.

Romania, a NATO member, reported that a Russian drone struck a residential building in its territory this week, marking one of several incidents involving Russian military assets near or in alliance countries' airspace. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described Russia's actions as "reckless behaviour" that poses dangers beyond Ukraine's borders.

The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the specific intelligence sharing referenced by Zelensky but has stated it continues to provide battlefield information to Ukrainian forces through established channels.

The Bottom Line

Zelensky's warning highlights ongoing gaps in Ukraine's air defense capabilities despite substantial Western support. The 48-hour timeline he described, if accurate, would represent a significant escalation in Russia's bombing campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure and population centers.

The incident involving a Russian drone striking Romanian territory underscores how the conflict's effects increasingly extend beyond Ukraine's borders. NATO officials have reiterated their commitment to collective defense while seeking to avoid direct confrontation with Russian forces.

Whether Congress approves additional Patriot systems for Ukraine remains uncertain, with budget negotiations ongoing. European allies face pressure to fill shortfalls in air defense coverage as Ukrainian resources are stretched across multiple frontlines.

The situation will be closely monitored over the coming days, with Western intelligence agencies expected to share updated assessments of Russian military positioning and strike planning.