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🇦🇺 Australia /Conflict & Security

Russia Pounds Kyiv in Major Ballistic Missile Attack

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Russia launched one of its largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, involving 41 missiles and 125 drones.
  • The attack killed at least one person and wounded 16, damaging residential buildings, warehouses, and other structures.
  • Ukraine faces a critical shortage of air defense systems, particularly against ballistic missiles, despite recent agreements for Patriot interceptors.

Russia unleashed a massive barrage of ballistic missiles on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, in one of the largest attacks of the war, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The overnight assault on Sunday involved 41 missiles of various types and 125 attack drones, striking across multiple districts and causing significant damage.

Overnight, Russia carried out one of its largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv. The enemy launched more than 40 missiles of various types, most of them against the capital.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident Zelenskyy's statement on X describing the scale of the Russian missile attack.

At least one person was killed and 16 others were wounded in the coordinated strikes. Residential buildings, warehouses, a supermarket, and a dormitory were among the structures hit. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that three individuals were in serious condition. President Zelenskyy described the attack on X, stating that "Overnight, Russia carried out one of its largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv. The enemy launched more than 40 missiles of various types, most of them against the capital."

The attack, which began around 1:30 a.m. local time and continued for several hours, has intensified Ukraine's struggle with a critical shortage of air defense systems, especially those capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Kyiv's military reported shooting down 18 missiles and 108 drones, but the sheer volume of the attack highlights the ongoing challenge. Acting foreign minister Andrii Sybiha called for "appropriate and strong responses," labeling the events a "brutal terrorist attack."

My grandmother lives with me, and she can't walk. How could I run away and leave her behind?

— VladA Kyiv resident describing his decision to stay in his damaged apartment during the attack.

President Zelenskyy recently indicated a political agreement with the US for licenses to produce Patriot interceptors, with hopes for production to begin by year's end. However, the relentless Russian attacks are increasing pressure on international partners to accelerate the supply of anti-ballistic defenses. "Protection against ballistic missiles is our constant and top priority right now," Zelenskyy stated on X. "Interceptors are needed every day."

Protection against ballistic missiles is our constant and top priority right now. Interceptors are needed every day.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident Zelenskyy emphasizing the urgent need for anti-ballistic missile defenses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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