Missiles Find Kyiv Easier to Reach as Ukraine Air Defence Shortage Deepens

At least 15 people were killed in the latest Russian strikes on Kyiv, according to the city mayor, as Ukraine continues to face shortages of air defence missiles. The overnight attacks struck residential buildings and warehouses across the Ukrainian capital, while a children hospital and a school were also damaged, according to Ukraine State Emergency Service. The strikes caused widespread destruction and disrupted power supplies, leaving thousands of properties without electricity. Kyiv Calls for More Air Defence Support Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, speaking to BBC News at the site of a damaged apartment building, called on Ukraine international partners to provide additional ammunition and air defence systems. President Volodymyr Zelensky also stressed the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles. Ukraine relies heavily on Western military assistance, including American made Patriot interceptor missiles, to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks. The Ukrainian Air Force Thursday morning update indicated that none of the Russian ballistic missiles used in the overnight attack had been intercepted, according to the report. Residential Areas and Schools Damaged The strikes began around midnight as air-raid sirens sounded across Kyiv. Explosions were reported at multiple locations, with apartment buildings, cars and other infrastructure damaged. At a school in the Solomyanskyi district, windows were shattered and debris covered the playing fields. A nearby facility that reportedly supplied heating to surrounding apartment buildings was also destroyed. The Kyiv authorities announced that Friday would be observed as a day of mourning for those killed in the attacks. Residents Describe the Impact Residents whose homes were damaged described the fear and uncertainty caused by the strikes. Anastasiia Kovtun, a primary school teacher whose apartment was in a damaged nine storey building, said she had been sheltering when the explosions began. Her home was subsequently damaged, leaving her to deal with the consequences of the attack. Another resident, Valeria Bondaruk, had previously moved to Kyiv after her home in southern Ukraine was bombed. After her Kyiv apartment was damaged, she told the BBC that she was considering leaving Ukraine again, expressing concerns about the future of her 13 year old daughter. Fighting Continues on Multiple Fronts The latest attack came amid an intensification of long range strikes by both Russia and Ukraine. Russian authorities said hundreds of Ukrainian drones had been shot down after being launched toward different regions of Russia. Ukraine has also increased attacks deep inside Russian territory, including a reported wave of hundreds of drones targeting Moscow over the weekend. According to the information provided, separate attacks in Russia during the same week killed at least 16 people, including a child. The broader Kyiv region also reported casualties, with one person killed and seven wounded in attacks in the Brovary and Boryspil districts. Donetsk authorities separately reported one death and 11 injuries. Little Progress Towards a Ceasefire Despite continued diplomatic efforts, there has been limited progress towards a ceasefire. Russia and Ukraine continue to accuse each other of attacks against civilian areas. Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently controls a significant portion of Ukrainian territory, particularly in eastern Ukraine. The latest strikes once again highlight the human cost of the conflict, while Ukraine’s continuing shortage of air defence interceptors remains a major concern for its ability to protect cities and critical infrastructure from aerial attacks.