Ukraine's capital has been struck by kamikaze drones - spreading panic once again through the region - and forcing rescue workers to rush to the scene.

It comes as a top Kremlin official threatened global carnage if Ukraine joins NATO. 

NATO leaders discussed nuclear preparedness during a closed-door meeting with a blunt message from Russia - that any further meddling by Western powers in Ukraine would spark World War III, a nuclear war that would be "catastrophic for all mankind."

The Kremlin described Nato approving Ukraine's application - as a "suicidal step."

It's yet another haunting reminder of how high-stakes this situation is.

Christchurch journalist Tom Mutch, 30, has been on the frontline of the war since day one. 

When the missiles returned to Kyiv this week - Mutch followed and he is amongst the growing number of people here - concerned Russian President Vladimir Putin is about to risk it all - to win this war.  

But if President Putin feels desperate - he isn't wearing the worry on his face as he was all smiles when he met with Asian leaders at a summit.

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Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Council of Europe - and had no time for pleasantries calling for more air defence systems with urgency.

Zelensky told them Kyiv only had 10 percent of what it needed.

The centre of the capital has a brand new monument to the realities of that statistic.

The clean-up at the site of a missile strike earlier this week is only just beginning and Kyiv has been targeted again.