At least 12 people have been killed and 20 injured, including two children, in and around Kyiv following a sixth consecutive night of Russian drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital. The intensified barrages, which targeted infrastructure and residential areas, come as European defence ministers meet to discuss Ukraine's critical air defence shortages and the broader implications for regional security.

Ukrainian officials confirmed that eight of the fatalities occurred within Kyiv itself, with a significant incident reported at a railway depot located on the city’s left bank, where seven individuals lost their lives. The remaining four deaths were confirmed in the surrounding region of the capital, highlighting the widespread impact of the overnight assaults. The wave of strikes, which followed hours of air alerts across the area, culminated in concentrated aerial bombardments around 2:30 am local time, causing extensive damage to buildings and critical services.

The persistent targeting of the capital has drawn strong condemnation and strategic analysis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested that Moscow is actively exploiting a reported scarcity of US-made Patriot air defence interceptors. According to President Zelenskyy, this perceived vulnerability in Ukraine's defensive capabilities is being leveraged by Russian forces in an attempt to undermine the morale of residents in the capital and other affected areas. The sustained nature of these attacks reflects a broader strategy to inflict damage and exert psychological pressure on the Ukrainian populace, particularly within its most populous urban centres.

The escalation of Russian attacks coincides with a crucial meeting of European defence ministers taking place in Ireland. Discussions at this gathering are focused on the urgent need to bolster Ukraine’s air defence systems, addressing the challenges posed by the relentless aerial bombardments. The international community continues to monitor the conflict closely, with particular attention to the protection of civilian populations and essential services under threat from these repeated assaults. The meeting underscores the ongoing diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine's defence capabilities amidst intensifying Russian aggression.

These recent strikes mark a continuation of a pattern of aerial assaults that have frequently targeted Kyiv throughout the conflict. The capital city and its inhabitants face significant challenges in defending against these sophisticated drone and missile barrages, which aim to disrupt daily life, damage vital infrastructure, and test the resilience of the population. The attacks serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the critical need for robust defensive measures to protect Ukrainian cities from further devastation.