Zelensky seeks more interceptor missiles after deadly Kyiv attack
A Russian barrage killed at least 11 in Kyiv and exposed Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot interceptors as Zelensky pressed NATO for more missiles in Ankara.
Volodymyr Zelensky was pressing NATO leaders in Ankara for more interceptor missiles after a Russian barrage on Kyiv killed at least 11 people. Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 drones in the July 6 assault, including 23 ballistic missiles that Ukraine’s air defenses could not stop. Many drones and cruise missiles were intercepted, but the ballistic weapons broke through.
The attack hit Kyiv and surrounding districts, leaving dozens more people wounded. The capital’s defenses blunted parts of the strike, but not the most dangerous weapons in the salvo. The shortage of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors and other high-end air-defense ammunition remains acute. Zelensky said Russia would keep targeting civilian buildings while Patriot missiles remained in allies’ stockpiles.
He used the run-up to the summit to push the United States and Europe for faster deliveries and bigger production runs. Zelensky said, “The United States and Europe have enough strength to stop this terror,” and urged allies to make “strong decisions” on air-defense weapons production. The appeal was aimed not only at systems already promised, but at the interceptors Ukraine needs immediately to keep pace with repeated Russian strikes.
The NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8 is centered on defense production, supply chains and sustained support for Ukraine, even as allied leaders face pressure from Donald Trump to raise defense spending and manage transatlantic tensions. NATO said allied defense investment in 2025 rose by USD 139 billion in nominal terms.
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