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Six killed in Russian drone and missile attacks in Kyiv and other cities
🇮🇪 Ireland /Conflict & Security

Six killed in Russian drone and missile attacks in Kyiv and other cities

From Irish Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Russia launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities using ballistic missiles, drones, and guided bombs, killing at least six people.
  • The attacks underscore Ukraine's critical shortage of US-made Patriot air defense systems, which are vital for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
  • Russia has intensified its missile use recently, targeting Ukrainian oil facilities and causing fuel shortages, while President Trump has indicated willingness to license Patriot production for Ukraine.

Russia unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles, drones, and guided bombs on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities Sunday, killing at least six people and wounding dozens. The intensified assault highlighted Ukraine's persistent shortage of crucial US-made Patriot air defense systems, which are considered the most effective means of intercepting Russia's ballistic missiles.

In recent weeks, Moscow has increased its reliance on ballistic missiles, aiming to disrupt Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities deep within Russia. These attacks have led to significant fuel shortages impacting both the military and civilian populations. While US President Donald Trump has expressed readiness to grant Ukraine licenses for Patriot production, potentially bolstering Kyiv's defenses, the details and timeline for such a capability remain unclear, with full production possibly taking years.

When the alarm started, we checked that there were ballistics, then went into the corridor. Then it started exploding, one missile after another.

— Viktoria ShejkoA resident of Kyiv describes the experience of sheltering with her family during the Russian missile attack.

The latest attack on Kyiv commenced around 1:30 a.m. and continued for several hours, filling the capital with the sound of explosions. According to Ukraine's air force, Russia launched a total of 41 missiles and 125 drones across the country overnight, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stating that most of the missiles were directed at the capital.

Beyond Kyiv, a Russian attack on a postal facility near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, resulted in three deaths and at least 20 injuries. Russian guided bombs also struck Kherson and Sumy, with each attack claiming at least one life. The strikes on Kyiv ignited fires across five districts, damaging residential buildings, offices, industrial sites, a dormitory, and vehicles, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. Viktoria Shejko, a resident sheltering with her family, described the terrifying experience of continuous explosions, noting the psychological strain of near-daily or every-other-day bombardments, a stark increase from less frequent attacks previously.

It used to be once a week or even more rarely, but now if not every day, then every other day.

— Viktoria ShejkoA resident of Kyiv describes the increased frequency of Russian attacks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Irish Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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