Russia Launches Fresh Attacks on Kyiv

Russia launched a fresh wave of attacks on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, sparking fires in parts of the city, officials said, as the air alert was sounded in the early hours today. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital’s military administration, said two storage areas were hit and set on fire in the Holosiivskyi district just outside the city centre.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko said drone debris had hit the ground in an open area in an eastern suburb and cars had been set ablaze. Reuters witnesses reported several explosions in the city. Six people were injured elsewhere in a town outside Kharkiv, its regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

The attacks came just hours after Russian president Vladimir Putin vowed emphatic retaliation to Kyiv’s recent long-range attacks on refineries, tankers and terminals that have caused widespread fuel shortages. Putin told a meeting with pro-Kremlin activists that Russia will respond in kind, but its strikes will be several times more powerful.

European foreign ministers were meeting separately in Brussels where they discussed Ukraine’s needs and Russia’s threats to the continent. Volodymyr Zelensky is keen to accelerate efforts with European countries to develop its air defences ahead of winter, when Russia usually intensifies its attacks to deny Ukrainians electricity, heat and water.

Ukrainian officials were in Paris to present a proposed Anti-Ballistic Program and meet with government leaders, national security advisers and defence companies who might take part, Zelensky said. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk says it seemed very unlikely that peace in Ukraine would be reached soon and he expected Russia to extend the conflict at least until the winter.

Tusk said he had discussed the situation with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. He also stated that Poland would host military exercises with French and British troops in the autumn so that they can be prepared to ensure security for Ukraine and the region after a peace agreement or ceasefire is eventually reached.

Zelensky says Ukraine will need at least 300 Patriot missile interceptors to get through the next winter. His request came as Ukraine and nine other countries announced they were forming a coalition to protect Europe from ballistic missiles, utilising Kyiv’s experience in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion for over four years.