Russia launches major ballistic missile attack on Kyiv, killing at least four

Russia unleashed one of its most significant ballistic missile barrages on Ukraine's capital since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The overnight assault on Kyiv and the northeastern city of Kharkiv resulted in at least four deaths and over 30 injuries, according to Ukrainian authorities.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack on Kyiv as "one of the most extensive ballistic attacks" on the capital during the war. He stated that Russia deployed over 40 missiles of various types, including Iskander ballistic and Zircon hypersonic missiles, alongside 125 drones. Ukraine's air force reported intercepting 18 of the 41 missiles and 108 drones. Despite these efforts, several residential and commercial buildings, a supermarket, a student dormitory, and logistics facilities sustained damage.

The attacks underscored Ukraine's ongoing struggles to defend against ballistic missiles. Zelenskyy emphasized that protecting against these projectiles is the nation's top priority, urging European partners to expedite deliveries of Patriot systems and missiles. The situation is reportedly exacerbated by reduced U.S. stocks of Patriot interceptors, with Ukraine estimating a need for approximately 300 Patriot missiles for effective defense in the coming months. European nations are also developing initiatives to bolster Ukraine's domestic air defense production.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continued its strikes on Russian territory. Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian security service operatives targeted three oil depots in the Stavropol region and another energy infrastructure site. Ukrainian forces also reportedly struck three oil tankers belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea.