Zelensky reveals weak point in Ukraine's air defence after massive strike on Kyiv
After a massive Russian strike on Kyiv overnight into Thursday, Zelensky admitted that while 90% of cruise missiles were shot down, intercepting ballistic missiles remains far less effective. Fifteen people were killed and more than 200 sites damaged.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram on Thursday evening that a massive Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv overnight had exposed a serious weakness in the country's air defence — the ability to intercept ballistic missiles.
According to the president, the attack was combined, involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. While about 90% of the cruise missiles launched were shot down, the interception rate for ballistic missiles was considerably lower.
Damage and casualties
The Russian strike damaged more than 200 sites, including 86 residential buildings, a children's hospital, and social infrastructure and retail facilities. Fifteen people were killed in the overnight attack on Kyiv.
On Thursday evening, Russia again struck Kyiv with ballistic missiles, hitting a business centre and unoccupied buildings in the Holosiivskyi district. One person was killed and two others injured in that strike.
Promised response
Zelensky said Ukraine would certainly respond to this and other Russian strikes using long-range strike capabilities, promising that Ukraine's long-range forces would receive additional resources going forward.
