Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more US-made Patriot interceptors could help protect civilians from Russia’s intensified attacks.
Firefighters work at a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, Ukraine, Aug 5, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov)
06 Aug 2026 04:41AM
KYIV: Russian missile and drone strikes killed at least 17 people and wounded dozens more in Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight, authorities said Wednesday (Aug 5).Kyiv was unable to shoot down any of the missiles launched by Russia, whose intensifying attacks have prompted Kyiv to plead for more US-made Patriot interceptors.Russia has significantly upped its attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, typically firing salvos of hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles in short blitzes that rock buildings and send booms echoing across the city."Ballistic interceptors are what could have saved the lives of those killed today," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, announcing the 17-person death toll.Later Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he had been in talks with NATO chief Mark Rutte about getting interceptor missiles."It is important to cut through all red tape and make the necessary political decisions," he said on Facebook."Literally every day, people's lives here in Ukraine depend on the resolve of our partners in Europe and the United States."
