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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States and European allies to provide additional Patriot interceptor missiles following one of Russia’s largest overnight attacks on Kyiv, saying insufficient supplies prevented Ukrainian forces from intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, UATV English reports, citing Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 attack drones against Ukraine overnight, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the assault. More than 10 locations across the capital, including residential buildings, were damaged.
Emergency services have rescued 64 people, including two children. As of the latest update, 11 people were confirmed killed in Kyiv and around 60 others injured.
In the Kyiv region, three people were killed and 16 injured. A missile strike sparked a major fire in the town of Vyshneve, where emergency crews continue evacuation efforts. More than 400 rescuers and police officers have been deployed to respond to the aftermath of the attack.
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian air defenses achieved “good results” in intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles but were unable to stop ballistic missiles due to a shortage of interceptor missiles.
“Our warriors showed good results today in shooting down drones and cruise missiles, but unfortunately not Russian ballistic missiles. The reason is the insufficient supply of interceptor missiles,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president urged NATO allies to make strong decisions on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense during the Alliance’s summit in Ankara.
“It is very important that the world, first and foremost America and our European partners, leave the NATO Summit in Ankara with strong decisions in support of protecting our skies, and therefore protecting the lives of ordinary people,” Zelenskyy said.
“As long as missiles for Patriot systems remain in allied warehouses, they only encourage Russia to continue ‘defeating’ residential buildings. The United States and Europe have enough power to stop this terror,” he added.
Read also: Many wounded and killed, children injured: Russian troops attacked Kyiv again
