What happened: Russian missile barrage over Kyiv
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian missile barrage lasting about two hours struck Kyiv overnight and caused civilian casualties: 17 deaths and injuries described as “dozens.” He said Ukraine’s depleted air defences did not stop the incoming missiles.
Zelenskyy named reported targets including a brewery, a warehouse storing construction materials, and a mail-sorting facility described as not connected to the war. Zelenskyy added that Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed these businesses had military ties.
Background and earlier position: Patriot system and interceptor shortage
Zelenskyy argued that Russia is exploiting Ukraine’s shortage of interceptors for the U.S.-supplied Patriot system. He stated that Patriot is the only Ukrainian system able to shoot down ballistic missiles.
Related current affairs
- Russia pounds Kyiv, kills 9 people; Ukraine appeals for Patriot missiles
- Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities kill six, expose gaps in air defences
- Russia missiles kill 17 in Kyiv as air defences falter
- Ukraine will never join NATO, says former top commander Valery Zaluzhny
- Ukraine strikes 2 major Russian refineries after Trump–Zelenskyy meet
- Ukraine hits 2 Russian refineries hours after Zelenskyy’s U.S. visit