At least 18 people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed in a wave of Russian strikes across five Ukrainian cities, officials have said, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to appeal directly to Donald Trump for additional Patriot missile systems.
The attacks, which the Ukrainian air force said involved 73 missiles and 656 drones, struck apartment blocks and other civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava and Kharkiv. Among the dead were a woman and a young boy killed when a missile hit an apartment block. Dozens more were injured, and rescue teams continued to pull bodies from the rubble.
“Russian strikes across five Ukrainian cities kill at least 18, including a child, as Zelenskyy asks Trump for more Patriot missiles.”
Russia deployed a range of weaponry, including eight hypersonic Tsirkon missiles, which are difficult to intercept due to their speed and trajectory. The strikes represent some of the heaviest bombardment in recent months and have intensified pressure on Ukraine's air defence capabilities.
In response, President Zelenskyy urged the incoming US president to supply more Patriot systems, which are considered among the most effective defences against ballistic and hypersonic attacks. The request underscores Ukraine's growing reliance on Western air defence as Russia escalates its aerial campaign.
The attacks have renewed concern among Ukraine's allies about the sustainability of its air defence network. While the UK and other European nations have provided significant military aid, the scale of this latest assault highlights the challenges Ukraine faces in protecting its cities from sustained barrages.
No immediate timeline has been given for a decision on the missile request. The conflict continues to exact a heavy civilian toll, with rescue operations still under way in several of the affected cities.
What This Means For You For UK readers, the continued heavy strikes on Ukraine underline the prolonged nature of the war and the ongoing need for international military support. British taxpayers have already contributed billions in aid, and further requests for advanced systems like Patriots could influence future defence spending decisions. Energy prices, which have been volatile throughout the conflict, may also be affected by any escalation in attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.