Russian attack kills at least 17 in Kyiv as Ukraine hammers more Wildberries warehouses
The bombardment comes as each side ramps up air attacks on critical infrastructure and logistics hubs.
On Wednesday, Russia unleashed a devastating wave of drone and ballistic missile strikes upon Kyiv, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and 44 injuries. This is one of the deadliest attacks on the Ukrainian capital this year, as both sides intensify their air assaults on vital infrastructure and supply lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conveyed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families, stating that the assault comprised 24 ballistic missiles, four Zircon/Oniks missiles, and 115 drones.
The primary targets were warehouses operated by civilian enterprises, alongside other strategic infrastructures, such as a railway station. Zelenskyy emphasized in a post on X, "Ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those killed today," urging his international partners to expedite the delivery of anti-ballistic systems.
He suggested that if these systems are not forthcoming, additional sanctions could be considered as a means to deter Russia's ballistic missile capabilities. The frequency of missile strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks suggests Russia's attempts to capitalize on Kyiv's scarcity of ballistic missile interceptors. Ukraine continues to heavily depend on the American Patriot PAC-3 system for missile defense, and Ukrainian officials have persistently argued that producing this technology domestically could alleviate the current air defense crisis.
Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump, who has shown a newfound willingness to support Ukraine, expressed uncertainty about Washington's potential support for Ukraine's demand for Patriot surface-to-air interceptors. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Trump stated on July 30 that he had not yet determined whether to permit Ukraine to manufacture these interceptors.
Furthermore, Russia's Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday that they had neutralized 107 Ukrainian drones overnight, with one drone colliding with a Wildberries sorting center and igniting a fire, although no casualties were reported at this location. Wildberries, a prominent player in Russia's e-commerce landscape, contributes approximately 3% of Russia's Gross Domestic Product through its marketplace.
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