Zelensky calls for Patriot interceptors as Russian strikes in Ukraine kill 16
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- Russia launched dozens of cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles alongside 168 drones in an overnight attack on Kyiv and surrounding regions, killing 16 and injuring over 40
- Ukraine's air force downed nearly 90% of the drones and most cruise missiles but did not report data on how many ballistic missiles were fired or intercepted
- Zelensky called the strike one of the war’s most 'cynical, calculated, and large-scale,' warning that delayed replenishment of Patriot interceptors is costing Ukrainian lives
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she is working with member states to provide anti-ballistic capabilities as an 'urgent priority' in response to Zelensky’s appeal
- DTEK, a private energy company, restored power to about 90,000 households after the strikes caused widespread outages across Kyiv and nearby areas
- Romania's defence ministry confirmed a drone crashed into its territory during the attack, while Moldovan President Maia Sandu reported another drone landed in Moldova
Why it matters: Ukraine faces growing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage as its limited supply of Patriot interceptors fails to keep pace with Russia’s escalating use of ballistic missiles—each unintercepted round increases pressure on allies to deliver advanced air defense systems faster. The strikes also risk widening regional instability, with drones reaching NATO and EU borders.
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