Ukraine’s capital city was slammed with Russian missiles, killing 17 people and injuring dozens.
“As of now, 44 people have been reported injured in the massive Russian strike on Kyiv and the Kyiv region. Another 17 people, tragically, were killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X Wednesday. “It was a heavy strike – 24 ballistic missiles, 4 Zircon/Oniks missiles, and another 115 drones, a significant number of them jet-powered.”
Ukraine is running low on missile interceptors, leaving Kiev vulnerable to Russian ballistic missiles. “Ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those killed today.” Zelensky’s post continued, “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.”
The Ukrainian leader said Kiev had received just a third of the number of interceptors that allies provided last year.
In an interview with Axios last month, Zelensky said Ukraine needed a “winter package” of 300 Patriot missiles. He warned that Kiev’s stockpile of interceptors is nearly depleted and Ukrainian energy infrastructure would be vulnerable to Russian missile attacks.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies reported the US had fewer than 827 Patriot missiles available in its arsenal. Before the war, the US had over 2,200 of the advanced interceptors. Additionally, the US has used about 40% of its THAAD interceptors, leaving just 278 in the Pentagon’s stockpiles. CNN confirmed the CSIS estimate with three sources familiar with the matter.
Last week, the President’s top military aides advised Trump not to order a major attack on Iran due to the shortage of munitions.
