Russian missile and drone attacks kill 4 in Ukraine as Zelensky pleads for air defense

KYIV, Ukraine, October 27 ------ Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight into Saturday killed at least four people and wounded 20, officials said and prompted fresh pleas from Ukraine's president for Western air defense systems.

In the capital, Kyiv, two people were killed and 13 were wounded in a ballistic missile attack in the early hours of Saturday, Kyiv's police said. A fire broke out in a non-residential building in one location, while debris from intercepted missiles fell in an open area at another site, damaging windows in nearby buildings, Ukraine's State Emergency Service wrote on the message app Telegram. "Explosions in the capital. The city is under a ballistic attack," Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram during the onslaught.

Two killed in Dnipropetrovsk region

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were killed and seven wounded, acting regional Gov. Vladyslav Haivanenko said, adding that apartment buildings and private homes were damaged in the strikes. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched nine missiles and 62 drones, of which four missiles and 50 drones were intercepted. In Russia, the Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 121 Ukrainian drones over Russia overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that such attacks intensify Ukraine's need for Patriot defense systems. "It is precisely because of such attacks that we pay special attention to Patriot systems — to be able to protect our cities from this horror. It is critical that partners who possess relevant capability implement what we have discussed in recent days," he wrote in English on X. "America, Europe and the G7 countries can help ensure that such attacks no longer threaten lives," he said.

Ukrainians adapt

As plumes of smoke from the attack in Kyiv rose in the background, Ukrainians went about their day shopping in a popular nearby farmer's market unhindered, having become accustomed to frequenting Russian air assaults. "We didn't know the attack was right here, but even when we figured it out, we still came. Despite the Russians' strike, there are still a lot of people here who need to eat. I knew that people would come to the shop," said Halyna Stetsiura, 54.

The fruit and vegetable vendor arrived very early in the morning to prepare her stall, while the attacks were still underway. Serhi Lihus, 53, a beekeeper, said he was driving to the market when he heard about the explosions. "It was still dark, approximately 6:30; everything was on fire," he said. Still, he showed up to the market to sell his honey. Svitlana Shyshlovska, 40, a customer, said despite the threat of attacks, "you still need to buy food to have something to eat, and such markets are not an everyday occasion."

Push for air defenses

Zelensky is hoping Ukraine can purchase 25 Patriots from the U.S. to fortify its air defenses, particularly in cities. Zelensky on Friday urged the United States to expand its sanctions on Russian oil from two companies to the whole sector and appealed for long-range missiles to hit back at Russia. Zelensky was in London for talks with two dozen European leaders who have pledged military help to shield his country from future Russian aggression if a ceasefire stops the more than three-year war.

Source: mb.com.ph