Ukraine: Zelenskyy says Patriot missile shortage costs lives

At least nine people died, and more than 20 were injured after Russia struck Ukraine’s capital with ballistic missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blames a lack of interceptor missiles for the deaths.

https://p.dw.com/p/5I71E

A man uses his mobile phone as he stands at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv
Kyiv has come under repeated Russian attacks this weekImage: Gleb Garanich/REUTERS

At least nine people died and 23 were injured after Russia struck Ukraine‘s capital city Kyiv with ballistic missiles overnight, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said on Saturday morning.

The missiles struck several homes and a five-storey residential building, while cars were also set alight.

Firefighters work at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine
Several buildings in Kyiv caught fire during the onslaughtImage: Gleb Garanich/REUTERS

Four children were among the 23 injured, the emergency service said.

In a post on his Telegram account, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said that several people were trapped in a damaged residential building during the attack.

The first and second floors of the building had partially collapsed, he said, while some warehouses in the city were also on fire.

The photograph shows a glow during an explosion following massive Russian ballistic missile strikes in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on August 1, 2026
‘Fire and destruction’ affected 5 Kyiv districts, emergency services saidImage: Sergei Supinsky/AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched 35 missiles overnight, including 27 ballistic missiles, as well as 185 attack drones. He said only one ballistic missile was intercepted, blaming a shortage of interceptors for Ukraine’s Patriot air defense systems.

“As usual, the Russians struck ordinary residential buildings,” Zelenskyy said, adding that 18 residential buildings, a school, the Lithuanian Embassy and infrastructure facilities were damaged.

“Every package of ballistic missile interceptors saves the lives of our people,” he said. “And every night without them results in more casualties.”

The attacks come as Moscow has intensified its bombing campaigns in recent weeks and months.

Last week,Zelenskyy met with his US counterpart Donald Trump and the UK’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham as he seeks increased support to boost Ukraine’s air defences.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko

Don’t let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google by clicking here and hitting the “star” or “preferred” button, so you’ll always see our verified news first.

About The Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About the Author

Easy WordPress Websites Builder: Versatile Demos for Blogs, News, eCommerce and More – One-Click Import, No Coding! 1000+ Ready-made Templates for Stunning Newspaper, Magazine, Blog, and Publishing Websites.

BlockSpare — News, Magazine and Blog Addons for (Gutenberg) Block Editor

Search the Archives

Access over the years of investigative journalism and breaking reports