Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a tragic missile strike in Kyiv that claimed the lives of nine individuals. The attack resulted in significant damage across the city, affecting seven districts, including residential buildings, a school, the Lithuanian embassy, and various infrastructure sites.
According to Zelensky, the Russian military launched 35 missiles during the night, of which 27 were ballistic, alongside 185 drones of different types. He highlighted Kyiv as the primary target but noted that other regions, such as Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Poltava, were also attacked.
“Only one ballistic missile was intercepted tonight due to the shortage of Patriot missiles. This lack of interceptors against ballistic threats encourages Russia to carry out such deadly strikes. It is crucial for our partners to understand that these systems are needed here and now, not just stored for potential scenarios, to help contain and stop the war in Ukraine. Every package of anti-ballistic systems saves lives. Each night without them leads to casualties,” Zelensky emphasized.
Andriy Sybiga, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, also urged partners in the morning to expedite the delivery of air defense systems needed to defend against ongoing assaults from the aggressor.
Context
- On July 30, following yet another massive combined attack by Russian forces, Zelensky mentioned an urgent shortage of air defense missiles from partners, indicating that deliveries were either delayed or not occurring at all.
- Earlier, on July 6, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that during a massive attack, they failed to intercept any ballistic missiles due to the lack of Patriot missiles. Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Serhiy Beskrestnov, noted a global shortage of Patriot missiles, with Ukraine having virtually no means to shoot down ballistic missiles.
- On July 9, after a NATO summit in Ankara, Zelensky stated that Ukraine would receive additional Patriot missiles from the US and European allies in the coming days.
