A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv and its surrounding region overnight killed at least 17 people and injured dozens more, Ukrainian authorities said. The country’s air force reported that it failed to intercept any of the 24 ballistic missiles launched, while 98 of 115 drones were shot down. The strike, which hit residential buildings, a railway station, warehouses and civilian logistics facilities, was the deadliest on the capital this year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the deaths were a direct consequence of a critical shortage of interceptor missiles. “Interceptors for ballistic missiles could have saved the lives of the people who died today,” he said, adding that delays and reluctance from partners in supplying anti-ballistic systems lead to “horrific casualties and destruction.” Zelensky noted that the level of interceptor deliveries had fallen to a third of what it was in 2025, leaving Ukraine unable to counter an intensifying Russian campaign that saw 128 ballistic missiles fired in July alone, double the previous month’s figure.

The shortfall is driven by a global depletion of stocks, particularly of US-made Patriot interceptors, the primary system capable of engaging ballistic missiles. US officials have indicated that roughly 80 per cent of American interceptor reserves were expended during recent phases of the Middle East conflict to defend bases and allies from Iranian attacks. Production of Patriot missiles, currently around 600 units per year, is far below the estimated global demand, and manufacturer Lockheed Martin does not expect to raise output to 2,000 annually until 2030. Defence analysts note that even wealthy Gulf states and NATO members are competing for the same limited inventory, and Washington has prioritised replenishing its own stocks and supplying close allies such as Israel. President Trump has decided against providing additional Patriot missiles to Kyiv, and a proposal to grant Ukraine a licence to co-produce the munitions was later dismissed.

The Russian defence ministry said its strikes targeted logistics hubs and supply centres involved in storing and distributing weapons and drones, as well as three cargo vessels near Odesa that it claimed were transporting military equipment. In response to the attack, NATO announced it would “urgently” seek to resupply Ukraine with interceptors, though it remains unclear where the alliance will find them given the worldwide scarcity. The dossier now hinges on whether alternative sources or accelerated production can be secured before Russia’s next wave of ballistic strikes.