Russian Missile Barrage Kills 17 in Kyiv as Zelensky Urges Allies to Boost Air Defence Support

At least 17 people were killed and dozens injured in Kyiv and surrounding areas after Russia launched a massive overnight missile attack, intensifying pressure on Ukraine’s already strained air defence system.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia fired more than two dozen ballistic and anti-ship missiles during the assault, none of which were intercepted, highlighting Ukraine’s dwindling stock of missile interceptors.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged international partners to accelerate the delivery of advanced air defence systems, warning that delays were costing civilian lives.

“It is crucial that our partners realise that delays in their delivery or a reluctance to provide anti-ballistic systems lead precisely to such horrific casualties and destruction,” Zelensky said, calling for additional sanctions against Russia.

The attack caused widespread destruction across Kyiv, striking civilian infrastructure and major businesses, including Rozetka, Ukraine’s largest e-commerce company, Epicentr, one of the country’s largest retail chains, and distribution centres operated by the FOZZY Group.

Rozetka co-owner Iryna Chechotkina said three ballistic missiles struck one of the company’s warehouse complexes.

“Last night I watched as the work of my entire life went up in flames,” she wrote on Facebook.

Epicentr said one of its employees was killed after missiles destroyed part of its manufacturing infrastructure.

FOZZY Group also confirmed that six employees died after fires broke out at two of its distribution centres following the strikes.

Emergency services continued rescue operations amid fears of additional attacks.

“The main targets of the attack were warehouses belonging to civilian enterprises,” Zelensky said, adding that a brewery, hardware warehouses, a railway station and other civilian infrastructure were also damaged.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence, however, said the operation targeted transport, logistics and distribution centres allegedly used to store military equipment and drones.

The latest assault comes as Ukraine continues to face shortages of US-made Patriot missile interceptors, currently regarded as the country’s most effective defence against advanced ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, Ukraine also carried out overnight strikes inside Russia, targeting another Wildberries logistics centre in the Tula region. Russian authorities reported damage to industrial facilities and residential buildings.

The renewed exchange of attacks underscores the escalating intensity of the more than four-year war, with civilians on both sides increasingly bearing the consequences.