Kyiv: Russia fired two dozen ballistic missiles at Kyiv overnight on Sunday, killing one person and wounding 16, in an ever-escalating air war that is taking an increasing civilian toll on both sides. The latest bombardment highlights a dual challenge for Ukraine in its fifth year of war. It is facing intensifying Russian missile attacks alongside rare domestic political instability triggered by a sudden wartime shakeup of its defense leadership.
According to France24.com, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and local authorities reported that strikes damaged apartment buildings, supermarkets, and an entertainment center. Russia, which denies targeting civilians, claimed to have struck military facilities and logistics hubs in Kyiv, as well as port infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army in the Black Sea city of Odesa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for air defense, stating, "Protection against ballistic missiles is our constant and top priority right now. Interceptors are needed every day." Ukraine has been facing a shortage of air defense projectiles for its US-designed Patriot systems, which are crucial for fending off ballistic rounds. Exploiting this shortage, Russia has intensified its air raids on Kyiv in recent weeks.
On the Russian side, a Ukrainian strike reportedly killed one person in the Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border, according to regional governor Alexander Khinshtein. Furthermore, a drone attack hit the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's terminal near the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, disrupting a key export route for Kazakh oil.
In a separate development, Ukrainian drones targeted large e-commerce warehouses in Moscow and Tambov regions, resulting in the death of eight workers and major fires. Kyiv's intensified strikes on Russian territory are described as retribution for prolonged bombardments against its territory.
The United Nations reported that June was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022, with at least 293 people killed. Despite the ongoing violence, talks on ending the conflict remain stalled, while fighting at the front is at a standstill.