Russia Launches Massive Strikes On Kyiv As Zelenskyy Urges More Air Defence Support
At least 17 people were killed after Russia launched a major overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv and the surrounding region.
Ukrainian officials said Russia fired 28 missiles alongside more than 100 drones, striking residential areas, businesses, transport infrastructure and industrial sites across the Ukrainian capital. Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was unable to intercept any of the incoming ballistic missiles because of a severe shortage of air defence interceptors. He renewed his appeal to Western allies for additional Patriot missile systems, warning that delays in deliveries are costing civilian lives.
The attacks damaged a railway station, warehouses and several commercial buildings, while fires broke out across multiple districts of Kyiv. Officials also responded to an ammonia leak caused by damage to industrial facilities during the strikes.
Ukraine's Air Force reported intercepting 98 of 115 Russian drones, but confirmed that none of the ballistic missiles were destroyed before impact. Military officials said the shortage of interceptor missiles has left the capital increasingly vulnerable to large scale attacks.
International leaders strongly condemned the assault. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron described the strikes as attacks on civilians and reiterated calls for increased military assistance to Ukraine.
The latest bombardment comes as Russia continues intensifying missile and drone attacks across Ukraine while Kyiv carries out long range strikes against Russian military and energy infrastructure. Fighting remains fierce along the eastern front as both sides continue exchanging attacks far from the battlefield.
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