Zelensky: Ukraine Downed 90% of Russian Cruise Missiles
Ukraine intercepted around 90% of the cruise missiles fired by Russia during its massive overnight attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region, but ballistic missiles remain a much greater challenge for Ukrainian air defenses, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday.
The combined Russian attack overnight on Aug. 19-20 involved ballistic and cruise missiles as well as attack drones.
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“Unfortunately, ballistic missiles are the most difficult challenge right now. While about 90% of the cruise missiles in this attack were intercepted, the situation with ballistic missiles is significantly worse,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
The president renewed his call for additional Patriot air-defense missiles, which Ukraine relies on to intercept Russian ballistic missiles.
The overnight attack killed 17 people and injured 42 in Kyiv, according to the latest reported figures.
Zelensky said more than 200 sites were damaged in the Russian assault, including 86 residential buildings, a children’s hospital, other social infrastructure and commercial facilities.
He also vowed that Ukraine would respond with further long-range strikes against Russia and said additional resources would be directed toward the country’s deep-strike capabilities.
“We will certainly respond to this Russian strike, just as we respond to other Russian strikes – our response will be fully justified and long-range,” Zelensky said.
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“Ukraine’s long-range capabilities will receive even more resources,” he added.
Russian forces launched ballistic missiles toward Kyiv during the night, with explosions reported across the Ukrainian capital as air defenses engaged incoming threats.
The attack caused widespread destruction in several districts, including damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
Russia continued attacking the Kyiv area later Thursday. Debris from a Russian drone fell on a non-residential building in the capital’s Desnianskyi district, while other strikes were reported in the surrounding region.