Russia's drone and missile attacks on Kyiv and its surrounding region have killed at least 12 people, marking the sixth consecutive night of assaults. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is exploiting a shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors.
The sustained Russian attacks highlight Ukraine's critical need for air defense systems, particularly as Russia escalates its assault strategy before winter, potentially impacting civilian safety and infrastructure resilience.
At least 12 people were killed in and around Kyiv overnight as the Ukrainian capital endured a sixth consecutive night of Russian drone and missile attacks. Eight of the dead were in Kyiv, including seven at a railway depot, and four more in the surrounding region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is exploiting a shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors, which are the only effective defense against high-speed ballistic missiles. He noted that Russia specifically plans strikes to maximize civilian casualties when air defence capabilities are insufficient. Ukraine's air force reported intercepting a significant number of projectiles, but officials no longer disclose the total number of missiles fired. Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, CEO of Ukrainian Railways, confirmed that six of the seven people killed at the depot were employees. Kyiv has faced a chronic shortage of air defence systems, and is seeking a stockpile of approximately 300 Patriot interceptors, funded by European allies. Moscow appears to be escalating attacks before winter, taking advantage of the limited air defence capabilities.