Zelenskyy warns of new Russian assault, seeks more Patriot missiles

Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his appearance on Face the Nation to warn that Russia may be preparing another drone-and-missile assault, telling Ukrainians to head for bomb shelters as Kyiv braced for an attack that could come Friday night or Saturday night. He said Ukraine had received intelligence pointing to a strike involving drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

The message carried a direct plea for U.S. help. In a Tuesday letter to Congress and President Trump, Zelenskyy asked for more Patriot missile systems after what he called an “especially cruel massive attack” that killed two people and wounded 83. CBS News said that assault involved 600 drones and dozens of missiles, including a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile. The warning underscored how Ukraine’s air defenses remain stretched as Russia keeps probing for gaps.

Zelenskyy’s appeal also landed after a string of punishing attacks on Kyiv that have sharpened the stakes for Western policymakers. A May 14-15 barrage used more than 1,500 drones and over 50 missiles, killing at least 24 people, according to Ukrainian officials. A separate strike on May 24 left at least two dead and 83 wounded. Together, the attacks show a Russian campaign built around scale, saturation and pressure on civilian targets as much as military ones.

The timing of the interview adds to the political calculation in Washington. The guest list for the May 31 episode also includes former Vice President Mike Pence, who is promoting his book What Conservatives Believe: Rediscovering the Conservative Conscience, scheduled for release on June 2, 2026; Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a leading Democratic voice on Ukraine and foreign policy; and World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain. For lawmakers, Zelenskyy’s warning is another test of whether the United States will keep supplying high-end air defenses as the war enters another phase and donor attention remains strained.

McCain’s appearance comes as the World Food Programme warns of a worsening global hunger crisis. Its 2026 Global Outlook says 318 million people face acute hunger, famine has been confirmed in Gaza and parts of Sudan, and funding shortfalls are forcing the agency to prioritize only about one-third of those in need. The agency says it aims to reach 110 million people in 2026 at a cost of $13 billion, but expects to receive only about half that amount.

Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan airs Sundays at 10:30 a.m. ET on CBS and streams at 12:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and CBSNews.com.