Kiev: At least 17 people were killed in a heavy Russian missile strike on Kiev and its surroundings, the Ukrainian Air Force reported, highlighting Ukraine's current inability to intercept ballistic missiles.
According to Ghana News Agency, Russia fired 28 ballistic missiles of various types overnight, none of which were intercepted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the shortage of air-defence weapons, emphasizing that ballistic missile interceptors could have saved lives. He urged international partners to understand the consequences of delays or reluctance in providing anti-ballistic systems.
In a meeting with military leaders, Zelensky noted that deliveries of missile defence ammunition from abroad had significantly decreased compared to the previous year. Moscow's Defence Ministry described the attack as a mass strike targeting logistics and distribution centres for military supplies, listing facilities hit, including those belonging to logistics companies Nova Post and Epizentr.
Warehouses in Kiev and the eastern suburb of Brovary were struck. The FIRMS fire-monitoring system run by NASA recorded fires at these sites. Eight people died at Kvitneva station in Brovary, and six more were killed at two distribution centres belonging to the supermarket chain Silpo. Zelensky also reported 44 wounded.
Russia has intensified missile strikes on Kiev, exploiting Ukraine's air-defence ammunition shortage. In July, there were 11 such attacks in Kiev alone. Most recently, a missile strike killed at least nine people and wounded over 30.
Russia fired 24 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and converted S-400 surface-to-air missiles overnight. Ukraine claimed they were launched from Bryansk and Kursk, providing little warning time. Ukraine's air defences struggle against Iskander-M missiles, and S-400 missiles, used against ground targets, result in high civilian casualties.
Russia also launched four Zircon hypersonic missiles, and Ukraine shot down 98 of 115 attacking drones. US-made Patriot systems, effective against ballistic missiles, are in short supply in Ukraine due to a global shortage of ammunition.
Fears grow in Kiev of unchecked missile attacks threatening infrastructure as winter approaches. Ukraine responded by attacking Russia with drone swarms, hitting logistics centres and a refinery. Russia claimed to intercept 475 enemy drones, though this figure remains unverified.
In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin announced military restructuring, consolidating logistics and support units under General Valery Solodchuk. Ukrainian drone strikes have disrupted Russian supply lines, especially on the Crimean Peninsula.
Putin's five-year war against Ukraine continues with objectives unmet. Russia appointed new commanders for army groups in the Donetsk region, tasked with bringing it under Kremlin control.