BROVARY, Ukraine — Russian overnight drone and ballistic missile strikes killed at least 17 people in Kyiv and the surrounding region, as Ukraine warned of critical air defense shortages and urged allies to hasten deliveries of urgently needed Patriot air defense missiles and other weapons amid intensified Russian attacks.
The air raid alert in the region remains in effect, the emergency service said, adding that rescue workers continue operating under heightened danger as the risk of further strikes remains.
“Russia has once again brought death and destruction to our land, taking the lives of civilians,” the head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, wrote on Telegram.
He added that the highest number of casualties was recorded in the Brovary district, where nine people were killed. In the Bucha district, the strike killed four more civilians, while another person was killed in the Fastiv district, he said.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported at least 24 people injured and one person killed in the attack on the capital.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine using 24 ballistic missiles, four hypersonic missiles, and 115 drones, with the Kyiv region as the primary target.
The attack is ongoing, with several Russian drones still in Ukrainian airspace, it added.
RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service released footage showing the aftermath of the overnight Russian attack at a site in the Brovary district of the Kyiv region.
“Ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those killed today,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X following the attack.
“It is very important that our partners understand that delays in supplying them, or an unwillingness to provide anti-ballistic systems, lead directly to such horrific casualties and destruction,” he added.
“Russian strikes take no summer vacation; support for Ukraine and pressure on the aggressor must not pause either,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, echoing Zelenskyy. “Every interceptor counts.”
“Russia’s ability to produce these tools of ballistic terror must be disrupted,” Sybiha added, calling for “additional, tough sanctions” against Russia that are “critical and urgent.”
According to the Ukrainian military, its air defense forces shot down or suppressed 98 Russian drones but intercepted none of the missiles launched on August 5.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the strike on Kyiv and the surrounding region, saying it targeted transport, logistics, and distribution centers with precision weapons and long-range drones.
“Once again, we wake up to the news of horrible atrocities committed by Russia through its aerial attacks on Ukraine,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the deadly overnight Russian strike.
She announced that the EU is making a further €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) available to Ukraine, using the proceeds from immobilized Russian assets, adding that “Russia must pay for the destruction it has caused.”
“This will support Ukraine’s continued resistance against Russia’s illegal war,” she added.
Moscow has stepped up its missile attacks on Ukraine as country faces severe shortages of air defense systems capable of intercepting high-speed ballistic missiles.
