In brief
Russian missile attacks near Kyiv have now claimed the lives of at least three people, one of whom was a child, marking a fresh spike in tolls amid an escalating aerial campaign. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to urge the United States to supply more Patriot missile batteries as Russia’s strikes intensify. Washington’s decision to grant Ukraine a licence to produce the defensive systems remains uncertain, while European allies sustain the steady flow of air‑defence hardware. The new attack comes shortly after the death of 21 civilians in a preceding strike and underscores the mounting pressure on Ukrainian civil infrastructure.
At least three people, including a child, have been killed overnight as Russian missile attacks hit the outskirts of Kyiv, says a local official.
Three additional individuals sustained injuries when ballistic missiles struck east of the capital, according to the head of the regional military administration.
The new strike arrives only days after a previous wave that killed 21 civilians as Russia ramps up its offensive, compounded by the fact that Ukraine has been running low on Western‑donated interceptor missiles.
In the midst of this surge, President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a fresh appeal for more U.S.‑made Patriot interceptor batteries, stating that the current shipments are insufficient for Ukraine’s defence needs.
Zelensky’s request follows the last week’s debate in Washington where the U.S. president reportedly reconsidered a prior commitment to grant Ukraine a licence for manufacturing Patriot systems. Future aid is expected to flow through European allies who are the main suppliers of the technology.
On the sidelines, Ukrainian leadership highlighted the stark difference in financial muscle between Moscow and Kyiv, noting that Russia’s war supplies are bolstered by its vast economic clout.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s current defence capability stems largely from European assistance and other international contributions, yet he called for more targeted funding to sustain the production of defence systems within Ukraine itself.
Overall, the latest missile strike not only intensified the humanitarian toll but also underlined the urgent need for reinforced air‑defence and broader geopolitical support for Ukraine in its struggle against a determined adversary.
