Ukraine has urgently requested NATO to expedite the delivery of essential Patriot defense systems following a night of intense attacks that left Kyiv vulnerable to a barrage of Russian missiles.
The recent onslaught, which began on Sunday, resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals in Kyiv, with 48 others wounded and many feared to be trapped in the wreckage of buildings across the city. This marks the second attack on the capital in a week, with several children among the casualties.
Reports suggest that the Kremlin authorized an unusually high number of missiles, along with drones, during the assault, overwhelming Ukraine’s air force in their attempts to intercept the projectiles.
The strikes occurred just before the NATO summit in Turkey, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet with President Trump.
Prior to the latest attacks, Zelensky had cautioned about Moscow planning another significant strike on Kyiv, following the previous assault that claimed 30 lives.
Zelensky has called on NATO to swiftly provide defense missiles to protect against further Russian strikes, emphasizing the importance of decisive actions to fortify air defense and safeguard civilians. The delayed delivery of Patriot defense missiles has left Kyiv exposed to Russian aggression, prompting Zelensky to stress the need for international intervention.
Secondary explosions rocked Kyiv on Monday, as delayed blasts triggered at impact sites of the missiles caused further distress across the city. Over 20 targets in Kyiv were hit by the Russian attack, raising concerns about potential future strikes by Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is believed to have ordered the major offensive in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure. The energy sector in Russia, which funds Putin’s military campaign in Ukraine, is reportedly under strain due to Ukrainian drone attacks causing significant damage to vital installations.
Emergency services are working to rescue individuals trapped in destroyed buildings in Kyiv, with Mayor Vitali Klitschko declaring a day of mourning for the city. Zelensky confirmed the extent of the damage in Kyiv following the Russian strike, underscoring the ongoing cleanup efforts and assessing the impact on residential areas.