Russia Launches Deadly Missile and Drone Attack on Ukraine as Zelensky Urges More Patriot Air Defenses
At least nine people were killed and 30 others injured, including four children, after Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone assault targeting Kyiv and several other regions of Ukraine. Following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his appeal to Western allies for additional Patriot air defense missiles, warning that the country’s shortage of anti-ballistic interceptors is leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable.
Heavy Russian assault hits Kyiv and multiple Ukrainian regions
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia launched 27 ballistic missiles during the overnight attack, but only one was intercepted. Kyiv was among the hardest-hit locations, while the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv and Poltava regions also came under attack.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least nine people lost their lives and 30 others were wounded. Emergency teams responded to multiple strike locations across the capital after missile debris damaged residential areas.
A five-story residential building in Kyiv’s Solomyanske district was struck by falling missile debris, trapping residents inside. Fires also broke out in nearby residential areas as emergency crews rushed to rescue those affected.
Police officer among those killed
One of those killed was 22-year-old police officer Yehor Terekhin, who was responding to an earlier strike alongside his patrol partner when a second missile hit the same location.
“While saving others, he gave the most precious thing he had – his own life. He will forever be 22,” Kyiv’s Patrol Police said in a statement.
Zelensky says Patriot interceptor shortage is costing lives
In the aftermath of the attacks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine urgently needs more Patriot missile interceptors to defend its cities against advanced Russian ballistic missiles.
“We lack missiles for the Patriot systems. And it is precisely this shortage of anti-ballistic interceptors that only encourages Russia to carry out such deadly strikes,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
He stressed that air defense systems should be delivered immediately rather than kept in reserve.
“It is crucial that our partners understand that these systems are not needed sitting in warehouses for hypothetical scenarios, but here and now. Every anti-ballistic missile package saves the lives of our people.”
Trump expresses hesitation over Patriot technology transfer
The latest attack came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled hesitation about allowing Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors, despite previously indicating support for the proposal during last month’s NATO summit in Turkey.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump said discussions were continuing but described the technology as highly sensitive. He added that the United States must exercise caution before transferring such advanced capabilities, while acknowledging that concerns about Ukraine eventually using the systems against the U.S. were unlikely to materialize.
The comments marked a shift from Trump’s earlier public indication that Ukraine could eventually manufacture Patriot systems to strengthen its air defenses.
Critical infrastructure and diplomatic property damaged
Zelensky said the overnight bombardment damaged 18 buildings, a school, infrastructure facilities and the Lithuanian Embassy. Ukrainian officials said the attacks formed part of a broader wave of Russian strikes that has intensified in recent weeks.
Earlier in the week, a ballistic missile struck a house in the village of Radushne in the Dnipro region, killing at least six members of one family, including four children.
Russia and Ukraine report fresh aerial attacks
Local authorities said at least 14 civilians were killed and 87 injured across Ukraine during the previous 24 hours as Russian aerial attacks continued.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 274 Ukrainian drones overnight, including several targeting the Moscow region.
Ukraine presses allies for urgent military support
Ukraine has repeatedly argued that Patriot air defense systems remain the only effective protection against some of Russia’s most advanced ballistic missiles. As large-scale missile attacks continue, Kyiv is urging its international partners to accelerate military assistance, warning that delays in supplying interceptor missiles are resulting in mounting civilian casualties.
Source: CNN
