Nine killed in strikes on Kyiv, as Ukraine sinks Russian container ship

Nine individuals perished and numerous others sustained injuries following Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The escalating aggression has prompted Zelensky to call for the immediate introduction of missile interceptors. This incident follows a suspected Russian cruise missile landing in Poland during a large-scale assault on Ukraine, resulting in at least eight fatalities, including six members of a family.

Additionally, Ukrainian drones sank a Russian-owned container ship in the Black Sea on Saturday, with all 17 crew rescued unharmed. Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the capital was hit by a ballistic missile, causing over ten explosions, fires, and power outages. At least seven people lost their lives in the Darnytskyi district and two more in Solomyanskyi district, with two children among the injured.

A missile also struck near the Lithuanian embassy, causing damage to the premises. Zelensky announced that the sanctioned 100,000-tonne container ship Yanina had been sunk. Moscow confirmed the attack via a statement from Rosatom, the ship's operator, which stated that the vessel was transporting civilian goods, including frozen food and construction materials.

All crew members were reported to be in satisfactory condition. Ukraine has been targeting Russian-flagged ships in the Black Sea since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The Kyiv attack comes after Zelensky met with President Donald Trump in Washington DC to request US authorization for Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles.

Trump expressed reservations about the proposal, emphasizing the need for caution and the potential risks associated with sharing advanced weaponry. As Russia intensifies its air assaults, Ukraine faces a shortage of Patriots, the sole weapon capable of neutralizing ballistic missiles. Zelensky highlighted air defense, specifically Patriot interceptors, as a top priority in his latest communication.