Russia launched an intense barrage of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Kyiv overnight into Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring over a dozen, local authorities reported. The attack also caused damage to residential buildings and warehouses.
A five-story residential building in the Solomianskyi District sustained damage from falling debris, with people believed to be trapped inside. A fire also broke out in the building's courtyard, according to Vitalii Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv. In the Shevchenkivskyi district, reports indicated people were trapped in another residential building following a partial collapse on the first and second floors. Warehouse buildings in the Darnytskyi district were also on fire.
This latest attack follows a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault across Ukraine just two days prior, which resulted in 10 civilian deaths and over 50 injuries. That previous attack also saw a Russian missile enter Polish airspace.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently advocated for Ukraine's need for additional Patriot anti-ballistic missile defense systems from the U.S. and other Western allies to counter Russian missile attacks. He reiterated this urgency following the overnight assault.
Late Friday, Zelenskyy stated he had spoken with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. He also discussed a meeting earlier that week in Washington with former President Donald Trump, which he described as "positive and productive." Zelenskyy emphasized that "The Russian air strikes on our country continue and air defense, specifically interceptors for Patriot systems against ballistic missiles, remains a top priority."
Earlier in July, at a NATO summit, Trump had indicated the U.S. would provide Ukraine with a license to produce Patriot systems. However, during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, he suggested he had not yet made a final decision on the matter.