Ukraine defense plea.
Russia launches missile and drone barrage on Kyiv, killing nine amid defense shortages.
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Russia launched a wave of ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv on Wednesday, killing at least 9 people and injuring 33 more, according to Fox 13. The attack came just two days after a separate Russian strike killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 50 others across Ukraine.
The back-to-back attacks are straining Ukraine's ability to protect its capital. Kyiv is running short on Western-supplied anti-ballistic missile systems, leaving it exposed to Russia's growing missile campaign. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now urgently calling on the United States and other Western allies to send more Patriot air defense systems, WRTV reported.
Missiles and Drones Hit Kyiv in Deadly Barrage
Russia fired a mix of ballistic missiles and drones at the Ukrainian capital in the latest strike, KGUN9 reported. Ballistic missiles are fast-moving weapons that travel in a high arc before hitting their target. They are much harder to shoot down than slower cruise missiles or drones. At least 9 people were killed and 33 injured in the attack.
The strikes hit a city that is already stretched thin on defenses. Ukraine does not have enough interceptor missiles to stop every incoming threat. Each Patriot interceptor costs roughly $3 to $4 million, and Ukraine is burning through its stockpile fast, according to KOAA.
A Second Major Attack in Just 48 Hours
Wednesday's strike was not an isolated event. Just two days earlier, Russia launched another large-scale attack across Ukraine. That strike killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 50, KTVQ reported. The rapid back-to-back attacks suggest Russia is intensifying pressure on Ukrainian cities.
Southern Ukraine was also hit. A Russian airstrike on the city of Kherson killed one person and wounded five more, according to WMAR2 News. A separate drone attack set an oil refinery ablaze, adding to the widespread damage from the latest round of strikes.
Zelenskyy Pleads for More Patriot Missile Defenses
Ukraine's president is making a direct appeal to Western allies. Zelenskyy called on the United States and partner nations to supply more Patriot anti-missile systems, Turn to 23 reported. The Patriot system is one of the few weapons capable of intercepting ballistic missiles mid-flight.
Ukraine currently has only a handful of Patriot batteries. Experts say the country needs many more to defend a capital city the size of Kyiv. Without additional systems, Russia can continue to exploit the gap in Ukraine's air defenses, according to 10News.
Why Kyiv's Air Defense Gap Keeps Growing
Ukraine's air defense problem is partly about supply and partly about cost. Each Patriot battery can only carry a limited number of interceptor missiles. Once they are used, replacements must come from Western allies. The process is slow, and Russia is striking faster than Ukraine can restock, WTXL reported.
Western nations have pledged support but have been cautious about sending systems that they also need for their own defense. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for more batteries since late 2023. So far, only a small number have been delivered. Each new Russian attack on Kyiv puts fresh pressure on allies to act faster, according to KIVI TV.
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