- Russia pounded Kyiv with ballistic missiles on Saturday, killing at least 10 people and wounding 28 others.
- Zelensky warned that Ukraine's air defenses are being overwhelmed, stating that only one of the 27 ballistic missiles launched by Russia was intercepted.
- Fires broke out across Kyiv, damaging 18 residential buildings, a school, and the Lithuanian Embassy.
- Damage was recorded in seven districts across Kyiv, with reports of casualties including children.
- Ukraine relies on U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, but is facing a shortage of interceptor missiles due to the Iran war.
- Overall, at least 14 civilians have been killed and 87 injured across Ukraine over the past 24 hours.
Russia's missile assault on Kyiv on Saturday resulted in at least 10 fatalities and numerous injuries, as President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukraine's air defenses are critically depleted. The attack involved 35 missiles, including 27 ballistic missiles, with only one intercepted.
Witnesses reported more than a dozen explosions throughout the city, with damage affecting 18 residential buildings, a school, and the Lithuanian Embassy. Four children were among the injured, highlighting the attack's devastating impact on civilians. Zelensky emphasized the dire need for interceptor missiles, stating, “Every package of ballistic missile interceptors saves the lives of our people.”
The assault is part of a broader strategy by Russia to exploit Ukraine's defense vulnerabilities, as the country faces a shortage of U.S.-made Patriot systems. Zelensky noted, “We lack missiles for the Patriot systems. And it is precisely this shortage of anti-ballistic interceptors that only encourages Russia to carry out such deadly strikes.” The attack follows a similar strike earlier in the week, which killed nine people, indicating a troubling escalation in hostilities.
As the conflict continues into its fifth year, the situation remains precarious, with fighting ongoing along a 1,200-kilometer front line. Local authorities reported that at least 14 civilians have died and 87 have been injured across Ukraine in the last 24 hours, underscoring the urgent need for international support and military aid.
“Only one of the 27 ballistic missiles Russia launched was shot down, and Zelensky said Ukraine has run out of interceptors for its U.S. Patriot systems. At least 28 people were wounded, including four children, with damage reported across seven districts of the capital.”
themoscowtimes.com
