Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again asked his allies for Patriot missiles, after several days of deadly Russian attacks. A strike on Thursday evening hit a commercial building in Kyiv, killing at least one person.
DR reports that the Thursday evening attack struck a commercial building in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv. At least one person was killed and two were injured. The figures were given by Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko on the messaging service Telegram.
According to DR, the strike followed a week of heavy Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital. Zelenskyy said at least 16 people were killed and more than 30 injured between Wednesday evening and Thursday night. He said about 90 percent of the cruise missiles were neutralized, while the situation with ballistic missiles was markedly worse.
In his address, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs missiles for its Patriot systems and that only its partners can deliver them. He added that Kyiv is not asking for gifts and is ready to buy the weapons it needs. Per DR, he said the decisions must be made first and foremost in the United States.
Depleted interceptor stocks
Reuters reported that a major Russian airstrike on Kyiv and the surrounding region on August 20 killed 16 people and injured more than 40. The agency noted that Patriot systems are Ukraine’s only means of shooting down ballistic missiles, and that used interceptors have not yet been replaced.
The Guardian reported earlier in August that Ukraine failed to intercept any of the incoming ballistic missiles during one Russian barrage. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance is working urgently to get Ukraine the air defenses it needs. In an interview with CNN on August 12, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has about 1 percent of the Patriot missiles he believes are required.
DR notes that Zelenskyy has asked for the missiles several times before. At a White House meeting in early July, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington intended to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles itself. Late in July, Trump told the Financial Times that the weapon is extraordinary and that the United States must be careful about granting licenses.
According to BBC News, the fresh call came days after Trump appeared to row back on that pledge. UN News reported in August that July 2026 was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022.
DR adds that both sides have intensified their strikes. Long-range Ukrainian drones hit targets in Tatarstan, more than 900 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, where local authorities reported 13 deaths. A Russian governor said six people were killed in a Ukrainian missile attack in the Belgorod region on Monday.
Save up to 2,800 DKK on Your Electricity Bill
FindElpriser helps you switch electricity providers quickly and easily.
