Russia Fires Ballistic Missiles at Kyiv in New Nighttime Barrage

Overview

• Ukraine's Air Force issued a ballistic missile warning shortly before 9 p.m. and Kyiv residents reported multiple explosions while an aerial alert stayed in effect for the capital and other regions.
• Kyiv's mayor said air defense units were working to repel the attack, but official information on casualties or damage was not yet available at the time of reporting.
• Ukraine's ability to stop ballistic threats relies heavily on U.S.-supplied Patriot interceptors, and Ukrainian officials say their stock of interceptors and missiles is shrinking.
• The June 25 barrage follows a heavy June 15 strike on Kyiv and comes after Kyiv launched unprecedented drone attacks on Moscow and its main oil refinery in mid-June, a cycle that analysts link to stalled ground offensives.
• If Western partners do not speed resupply of interceptors and other air-defense ammunition, analysts warn cities will remain exposed and civilian risk could rise while reciprocal long-range strikes continue.