Ukraine reports critical interceptor shortage as Russian barrage kills 23

Ukraine's air defence system faces a critical supply shortfall as Russia continues to saturate the country's skies with missiles and drones. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday's assault on the Kyiv region consisted of 68 missiles and 351 strike drones, killing at least 23 people. The scale of the attack underscores the pace at which Ukrainian interceptor stocks are being depleted.

Reports out of Kyiv suggest the barrage targeted civilian infrastructure and residential areas, compounding pressure on already stretched emergency services. The attack is the latest in a sustained campaign that has degraded Ukraine's ability to defend against aerial assault. Military analysts note that the volume of Russian ordnance now in use exceeds the rate at which Western allies can resupply interceptor systems.

The shortage has forced Ukrainian commanders to prioritise defence of major cities and critical infrastructure, leaving smaller towns and rural areas exposed. International military assistance has accelerated in recent months, but supply chains remain strained. Zelensky has appealed to Western partners for faster delivery of air-defence systems and ammunition.