Zelensky: Russia violently attacked Kiev, at least one person killed, 16 injured

Russia launched a heavy overnight attack on Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, in one of the largest barrages of ballistic missiles since the start of the war, killing at least one person and wounding 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today.

A series of powerful explosions echoed through the city during the attack, which used 41 rockets of various types and destroyed buildings in several city districts.

Among the damaged buildings were apartment buildings, warehouses, a supermarket and a student dormitory, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said, adding that three people were in serious condition.

At one location in western Kiev, emergency workers were searching through charred rubble and extinguishing fires in bombed-out apartments.

The attack hit several non-residential buildings and warehouses, while parked cars and office buildings burned in several city districts, Klitschko said.

At one location, workers were searching through burnt ruins and extinguishing fires in destroyed apartments.

A resident who identified himself as Vlad said he was in his apartment when the explosion blew out the balcony door, hitting him in the head.

"My grandmother lives with me and she can't walk. How could I run away and leave her?" he said.

Closer to the city center, an underground pedestrian walkway near a frequently targeted metro station collapsed, leaving behind a pile of rubble.

Reuters reported earlier today that the State Emergency Service had dispatched rescue teams to multiple locations in three city districts.

According to the military administration, two people were wounded in the Kiev region, where warehouses were also damaged, Reuters reported earlier today.

Critical air defense deficiency

Russian forces have stepped up ballistic missile attacks on Kiev and other cities in recent weeks, while Ukraine faces a critical shortage of US-made air defense systems.

The Ukrainian military said it shot down 18 missiles during today's attack, with the main target being the Ukrainian capital. It added that 108 of a total of 125 drones were also shot down.

Zelensky said last week that the United States and Ukraine had reached a political agreement on licenses to produce Patriot interceptors. He added that he hoped production could begin by the end of the year.

However, increasing Russian attacks in the fifth year of Moscow's all-out war are putting additional pressure on Kiev's foreign partners to speed up deliveries of ballistic missile defense systems.

"Protection from ballistic missiles is currently our constant and highest priority. We need interceptors every day," Zelensky wrote on the X network today.

Ukrainian military: Two Russian oil tankers hit in Black Sea

Ukrainian forces hit two Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea overnight, the Ukrainian military said today, Reuters reports.

The General Staff said in a statement that a floating crane in the Sea of ​​Azov was also hit, adding that all three targets were used to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine.