Ukraine has warned of a critical shortage of interceptor missiles after a large-scale Russian aerial assault left at least 23 people dead in and around the capital, Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said none of the 23 ballistic missiles launched by Russia during the overnight attack were intercepted due to dwindling air defence supplies.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 attack drones in one of its largest strikes in recent months. While Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted or suppressed 37 missiles and 326 drones, ballistic missiles penetrated the country’s air defences, causing widespread destruction. Officials reported that 15 people were killed in Kyiv, while another eight lost their lives in the surrounding region. More than 100 people were injured, including several children.
President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukraine’s allies to strengthen air defence support during this week’s NATO Summit. He stressed that additional interceptor missiles, particularly Patriot systems, are essential to protect civilians from continued missile attacks. Zelensky also criticised the slow pace of expanding missile production, saying the world has the capacity to better defend people against ballistic threats.
Rescue teams continued searching collapsed residential buildings in Kyiv, using sniffer dogs and heavy machinery to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble. Emergency services said fires and structural damage affected multiple apartment complexes, forcing many families from their homes.
Ukraine also reported carrying out long-range drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, including oil refineries deep inside Russian territory. Meanwhile, Russia claimed it intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones launched overnight.
The latest escalation comes ahead of the NATO summit, where Ukraine’s request for stronger military assistance is expected to dominate discussions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said additional air defence support for Ukraine would be a key agenda item.
