Russian assault kills civilians as Kyiv faces defence shortfall
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of "senseless terror" after a fresh wave of missile strikes killed civilians across Ukraine, in the Kremlin's first major assault since Vladimir Putin hosted senior US officials in Moscow for talks aimed at ending the four-year war. The attacks came as Ukraine warned Britain's Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, that a £23 billion funding gap in pledged Western support remains unfilled, with officials cautioning that Russia's strikes are proving effective partly because of Ukraine's shortage of air defence systems such as the US-made Patriot.
At least two people were killed and ten injured in strikes on Kyiv, where 31 of 32 Russian cruise missiles were intercepted, though an undisclosed number of ballistic missiles got through; Ukraine said 175 aerial munitions were intercepted overall, with Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Sumy's railway station among the targets hit. Ukraine's defence chief Yevhenii Khmara told allies that of €70 billion pledged at the Ankara NATO summit, €62 billion had been delivered, leaving an €8 billion shortfall alongside a wider €23 billion defence deficit, and urged financial decisions by November; he also cited a need for 300 Patriot missiles, 500 air-to-air interceptors and £2 billion for drones, while Streeting reaffirmed the UK's commitment, including a £100 million winter munitions package and progress towards its 120,000-drone delivery target.
In short
- Zelensky condemns Russian strikes that killed civilians as "senseless terror"
- Ukraine says £23bn of pledged Western funding is still outstanding
- UK's Streeting reaffirms support amid calls for more air defences
Explained simply
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022 and has involved repeated attacks on cities and infrastructure. Ukraine uses air defence systems to intercept missiles and other aerial weapons, but these systems and their ammunition are limited.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky leads the country’s wartime government, while Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, directs the Russian state. Ukraine relies on military and financial support from countries including the UK and other NATO members; pledges of aid can take time to turn into equipment or funding.
Air defence affects how well Ukraine can protect civilians and key sites such as transport links. The gap between promised and delivered support matters to Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defence, while the war’s course also shapes diplomatic efforts to end it.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Zelensky accuses Putin of ‘senseless terror’ after fresh missile strikes as Ukraine faces a multi-billion pound funding crisis”.