- At least 12 people have been killed in and around Kyiv overnight as Ukraine’s capital endured aimed at shattering infrastructure and lowering the morale of the city.
- Eight of the dead were reported killed in Kyiv, including seven at a railway depot on the city’s left bank, and four more in the surrounding region, after hours of air alerts culminating in a wave of strikes at about 2.30am.
- Air defence shot down five Iskander ballistic missiles, two Banderol and five Kalibr cruise missiles and 187 out of 218 drones.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a significant number of jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles were used in the attack and that Russia was taking advantage of a shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors.
- Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported at least eight people were killed and five others, including two children, were injured during the overnight drone and missile attacks on the city.
- Ukrainian prosecutors announced four more killed in the Kyiv region, saying a residential building was damaged in the suburb of Boryspil.
- Russia's Ministry of Defence said it hit military and energy facilities in Kyiv and Odesa, as well as regions surrounding these cities overnight.
- Kyiv has been chronically short of air defence systems since the supply of US made Patriot interceptors dried up.
- The Patriots are the only weapon that can effectively stop high-speed Russian ballistic missiles, made at the rate of about 60 a month.
- Ukraine is trying to secure a stockpile of about 300 for the winter, paid for by European allies, in a supply deal agreed with the US.
- Moscow appears to be trying to take advantage of an absence of air defence capability before winter, in an escalation of a conflict nearly deadlocked on the frontline.
At least 12 people have been killed and 21 wounded in a wave of Russian air attacks on Kyiv and its surrounding region, according to authorities. The attacks, which occurred overnight, included a significant number of drones and missiles aimed at civilian infrastructure.1
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that eight people were killed in the city, including seven at a railway depot, while four others died in the surrounding region. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as “Russian terror” and noted that an Indian citizen was among the deceased.45
Zelenskyy emphasized that “Russia always plans its strikes specifically to cause as much destruction to people’s lives as possible,” and that the effectiveness of these attacks is heightened by Ukraine's shortage of air defense systems. The Ukrainian air force reported that they successfully shot down 187 out of 218 drones and several ballistic missiles, but the ongoing conflict has strained their resources.
The US-made Patriot interceptors, which are crucial for countering high-speed Russian missiles, are in short supply. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer, produces about 600 interceptors annually, but the US military's stockpile has been depleted due to ongoing conflicts. Ukraine is seeking to secure a stockpile of 300 interceptors for the winter, funded by European allies.
Moscow's recent attacks appear to exploit the current lack of air defense capabilities, as the conflict remains largely deadlocked on the frontline. The situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced military support for Ukraine as winter approaches.
“Zelenskyy said Russia used jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles, exploiting a shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported eight killed in the city, including two children injured, while Ukrainian Railways said six of seven depot victims were employees.”
The Guardian
