Ukraine has urgently requested NATO to expedite the delivery of much-needed Patriot defense systems following a night of terror in which Kyiv faced intense barrages of Russian missiles.
A significant onslaught that began on Sunday resulted in at least 14 casualties and 48 injuries in Kyiv, with numerous individuals feared trapped in the wreckage of buildings across the city. This marked the second attack on the capital within a week, with several children among the wounded.
Reports indicate that the Kremlin deployed an unusually high number of missiles and drones during the assault, overwhelming Ukraine’s air force’s ability to intercept them.
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 recent strikes, Zelensky had cautioned about Moscow’s plans for a second major attack on Kyiv, following the previous assault that claimed 30 lives.
Zelensky emphasized the critical need for NATO to swiftly provide defense missiles, stating that as long as Patriot missiles remain unused, Russia will persist in targeting civilian structures.
The delayed delivery of Patriot defense systems has left Kyiv vulnerable to Russian assaults, prompting Zelensky to urge the United States and Europe to take decisive action to halt the attacks.
Secondary explosions rocked Kyiv on Monday, as delayed blasts erupted at the missile impact sites, causing widespread shock throughout the city.
Over 20 locations in Kyiv were hit during the Russian offensive, raising concerns about potential future attacks by Moscow’s forces.
It is believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin orchestrated the significant attack in retaliation for Ukraine’s previous strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, which funds his military actions.
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil and gas facilities in recent months have inflicted substantial damage, hampering Putin’s financial resources for the conflict.
Emergency services worked to rescue numerous individuals believed to be trapped in collapsed buildings across Kyiv on Monday morning, with Mayor Vitali Klitschko declaring a day of mourning for Tuesday following what he described as a massive enemy assault.
Zelensky confirmed the severity of the situation, stating, “Kyiv was targeted in a major Russian strike last night… Cleanup efforts are ongoing, with significant damage reported in various parts of the city, including residential areas.”
