Russia, Ukraine trade deadly overnight strikes as Patriot shortage strains Kyiv’s defenses

KYIV — Russia and Ukraine exchanged deadly strikes overnight, killing civilians and injuring dozens on both sides as Moscow continued large-scale missile attacks while Kyiv pressed its campaign against targets inside Russia.In Russia’s border region of Belgorod, Ukrainian drone attacks killed five people and injured about two dozen others, including a 4-year-old boy, according to the regional administration.In Ukraine, Russian missiles struck a high-rise apartment building in Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, killing two people and injuring 13, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said.Eight more people were injured in the Black Sea port city of Odesa after “dozens of missiles and drones” struck the city and surrounding region, according to regional administration head Oleh Kiper.Large-scale Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities have become increasingly frequent in recent weeks, with Ukraine facing a critical shortage of interceptors for its U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems.Patriot is the only air defense system in Ukraine’s arsenal capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, leaving Kyiv increasingly concerned about its ability to protect cities and critical infrastructure.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged allies, particularly the United States, to provide additional Patriot systems and interceptor missiles, supplies of which have become scarcer amid the Iran war.Zelenskyy has also pushed for Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptors domestically. He has separately sought approval from Elon Musk to use the Starlink satellite communications system to support strikes deep inside Russia targeting missile launch sites.Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued its long-range drone campaign against targets inside Russia, including energy infrastructure and other facilities.Repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities have disrupted operations and contributed to fuel shortages, while Kyiv has also targeted other sites deep inside the country, including facilities belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries.