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Russia Hits Kyiv with Ballistic Missiles and Drones, At Least 9 Dead
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Russia Hits Kyiv with Ballistic Missiles and Drones, At Least 9 Dead

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Russia launched a heavy barrage of ballistic missiles and drones on Kyiv, killing at least nine people and injuring 30.
  • The strikes followed a similar major attack two days prior, with Russia targeting military-industrial facilities.
  • Ukraine's President Zelenskyy reiterated the urgent need for Western-supplied anti-ballistic missile defense systems, particularly Patriots.

Kyiv endured an intense overnight assault of ballistic missiles and drones, resulting in at least nine fatalities and 30 civilian injuries, Ukrainian authorities reported Saturday. This barrage follows a significant Russian attack two days earlier that claimed at least 10 lives and injured over 50 across Ukraine. Moscow appears to be exploiting Ukraine's critical shortage of Western-supplied anti-ballistic missile defenses.

The relentless attacks dim prospects for a diplomatic resolution to Russia's protracted invasion. Russia's defense ministry stated it conducted a "massive strike" targeting "Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities and logistics centers in Kyiv." In the Solomianskyi District, a five-story residential building sustained damage from falling debris, sparking a fire. Rescue workers evacuated 35 people from the upper floors; two died and eight were injured, including two children.

Further devastation occurred in the Darnytskyi District, where seven people died and 14 were injured. The attack ignited fires and damaged homes, vehicles, and buildings. Emergency services also battled a fire in a non-residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Damage to commercial and residential properties was reported in two other city districts.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently urged the United States and other Western allies to provide more Patriot anti-ballistic missile defense systems. He recently discussed Ukraine's defense needs with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and met with President Donald Trump. "The Russian air strikes on our country continue and air defense, specifically interceptors for Patriot systems against ballistic missiles, remains a top priority," Zelenskyy posted on Telegram. Trump's stance on providing Ukraine with licenses to produce Patriot systems has appeared to waver.

The Russian air strikes on our country continue and air defense, specifically interceptors for Patriot systems against ballistic missiles, remains a top priority.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's critical need for air defense systems, particularly Patriots, in a post on Telegram.
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Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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