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Russia Launches Major Missile Barrage on Ukraine, Kyiv Heavily Targeted

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Russia launched over 40 missiles at Ukraine overnight, one of the largest attacks since the war began.
  • The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was heavily targeted, resulting in at least one death and around twenty injuries.
  • President Zelensky reiterated calls for more Western air defense systems, particularly US Patriot missiles, to counter ballistic threats.

Russia unleashed a massive missile barrage on Ukraine overnight, launching more than 40 projectiles in one of the most intense attacks since the conflict's inception. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, bore the brunt of the assault, with significant damage reported to civilian infrastructure.

Journalist Arnaud De Decker, reporting from eastern Ukraine, noted that Russia appeared to target factories and military hubs, which may explain the relatively low death toll thus far, despite the sheer volume of missiles. Approximately half of the incoming ballistic missiles were intercepted, but 23 still struck various locations in and around Kyiv. The attack resulted in at least one fatality and approximately twenty injuries.

Russia targeted factories and military hubs this time. That is why there are (for now) not so many dead, despite the large number of missiles.

— Arnaud De DeckerJournalist Arnaud De Decker provided an initial assessment of the Russian missile attack on Ukraine.

De Decker described the assault as "unprecedented" due to the concentration of launches within a single hour. He relayed an account from a friend in Kyiv who described constant anxiety throughout the barrage. The attack underscores Ukraine's ongoing need for advanced air defense capabilities.

The more than 40 missiles were all fired within a single hour, which is unprecedented. A friend in Kyiv told me she held her breath the whole time, she didn't know what was happening.

— Arnaud De DeckerJournalist Arnaud De Decker described the intensity and duration of the Russian missile attack on Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again appealed to the United States and European allies for increased military aid, specifically requesting more American Patriot missile systems. These systems are considered crucial for intercepting the ballistic missiles Russia is employing. While limited stocks have been supplied previously, this latest attack likely depleted them, leaving Kyiv vulnerable to future assaults.

Adding a layer of potential retaliation, Ukraine conducted an attack on two Russian online retail distribution centers the previous day, resulting in eight deaths. Kyiv claims Russia used these centers to smuggle drone components into the country. The timing suggests Russia's missile strikes could be a response to this Ukrainian action, though the Kremlin has yet to comment.

That are the only ones that can intercept those ballistic missiles.

— Arnaud De DeckerJournalist Arnaud De Decker explained the importance of Patriot missile systems for Ukraine's defense.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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