Zelensky urges more Western air defenses after Russian missile strike kills nine
A Russian missile attack on Kyiv and surrounding regions killed nine people, including children, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to call for additional Patriot air-defence systems from allies.
A Russian barrage of 27 ballistic missiles hit Kyiv and several Ukrainian regions overnight, killing nine people and wounding 30, according to city mayor Vitali Klitschko. Only one missile was intercepted. The strikes damaged residential buildings, a school, the Lithuanian embassy and other infrastructure, and left at least 14 civilians dead and 87 injured across the country in the past 24 hours.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram that Ukraine lacks missiles for Patriot systems and that the shortage encourages further Russian attacks. He added that anti-ballistic missile packages are needed “here and now” to protect civilians.
"It is crucial that our partners understand that these systems are not needed sitting in warehouses for hypothetical scenarios, but here and now," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian authorities also reported the death of a police officer, Yehor Terekhin, who was killed while assisting civilians during the strikes.
The United States has not committed to allowing Ukraine to produce its own Patriot interceptors, with President Donald Trump expressing caution about transferring the technology.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense said it shot down 274 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian territory overnight, including over the Moscow region.