Russia Kills 21 in Kyiv as Ballistic Missiles Evade Depleted Air Defenses

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia launched one of its most intense aerial attacks on Kyiv in months, killing 21 people and injuring dozens more. Ukrainian air defenses failed to intercept any of the 24 ballistic missiles fired by Moscow overnight, according to Ukrainian officials.

The barrage included 115 drones, most of which were shot down. The ballistic missiles struck storage and logistics facilities, including online retailer warehouses and a postal sorting center near the Kvitneva railway station.

President Volodymyr Zelensky directly linked the missile shortage to the casualties and destruction, saying the lives of Ukrainians depend on the decisiveness of partners in Europe and America.

Ukraine has long relied on U.S. supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles to counter Russian ballistic threats. Those interceptors are now critically short, leaving Ukrainian skies vulnerable.

President Donald Trump denied last week that the United States had agreed to provide Ukraine with the technology to manufacture Patriot missiles, following an earlier offer in early July to license their production.

Patriot systems require at least two interceptor missiles to bring down each incoming ballistic missile. Their effective range is approximately 160 kilometers (99 miles), complicating strategic placement. Russia typically uses between 20 and 30 ballistic missiles in its large-scale strikes.

Ukrainian military expert Ivan Stupak, a former intelligence service officer, compared the situation to owning a high-performance car with no fuel. Ukraine has Patriot systems, he said, but lacks the interceptor missiles to operate them effectively.

The shortage leaves Ukraine's entire territory exposed. Stupak also warned that the Patriot systems themselves, now without adequate protection, could become priority targets for Russian forces.

Near Kvitneva, Anastasiia Dudley's house was largely destroyed in the attack. She and her mother survived unharmed but shaken, with Dudley calling it her scariest night since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Zelensky said ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives lost and reiterated a warning from last week that a lack of interceptors encourages Russia to launch these attacks.

Zelensky also confirmed discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about securing more interceptor missiles. Ukraine possesses an undisclosed number of Patriot systems, but the scarcity of interceptors remains the immediate challenge.

President Volodymyr Zelensky directly linked the missile shortage to the casualties and destruction, saying the lives of Ukrainians depend on the decisiveness of partners in Europe and America.

Ukraine has long relied on U.S. supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles to counter Russian ballistic threats. Those interceptors are now critically short, leaving Ukrainian skies vulnerable.

The shortage leaves Ukraine's entire territory exposed. Stupak also warned that the Patriot systems themselves, now without adequate protection, could become priority targets for Russian forces.

Zelensky said ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives lost and reiterated a warning from last week that a lack of interceptors encourages Russia to launch these attacks.