Russian strikes kill 12 in Kyiv as EU weighs air defence gaps

Russian forces launched a coordinated barrage of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv on Tuesday, killing at least 12 people and underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of Ukraine's civilian population to aerial bombardment. The strikes came as European Union defence ministers gathered in Dublin to assess the continent's capacity to bolster Ukraine's air defences amid intensifying attacks from Russian aircraft and unmanned systems.

The assault on the capital reflects an escalating pattern of Russian strikes against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and population centres. Air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv as the attack unfolded, with emergency services responding to multiple impact sites across the city.

The timing of the attack highlights the urgency of discussions taking place among EU defence officials regarding the supply and deployment of air defence systems to Ukraine. European governments have grappled with balancing demands from Kyiv for advanced missile defence capabilities while managing their own military stockpiles and procurement constraints.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for increased deliveries of air defence systems, citing the heavy toll of Russian aerial campaigns on civilian infrastructure and morale. The gap between available systems and operational requirements remains a critical challenge for Ukraine's defence efforts as the conflict continues.