Ukraine appeals for Patriot missile defence amid deadly Russian strikes

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Ukraine has called on NATO to speed up the delivery of Patriot missile defense systems following a deadly series of Russian missile attacks on Kyiv that killed at least 15 people and injured 48. Ukrainian President Zelensky is set to press for increased air defense support at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, emphasizing that improved defenses are critical to preventing further civilian casualties.

Ukraine has urged NATO to accelerate the delivery of Patriot missile defense systems following a renewed wave of Russian missile attacks that struck the capital, Kyiv, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 48 injuries. The large-scale assault began on Sunday and caused significant destruction, with concerns that additional people remain trapped in the rubble of damaged buildings. Among the injured were at least five children.

This marks the second attack on Kyiv within a week, with the recent strikes occurring just before the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to participate in discussions at the summit, which includes a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Hours ahead of the missile barrage, Zelensky warned of a looming second "massive strike" on Kyiv following an earlier assault on Thursday that killed 30 people. He characterized the recent attacks as some of the most severe the city has experienced since the conflict began.

Zelensky appealed to the international community, emphasizing the importance of robust decisions at the NATO summit to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. He called on the United States and European partners to ensure the deployment of Patriot missile systems, which he said remain unused in allied stockpiles. "As long as Patriot missiles remain in our allies’ warehouses, Russia will continue striking residential buildings," Zelensky stated, urging Western nations to act decisively to protect civilian lives.

The wave of attacks is widely understood to be a response ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly aimed at retaliating against recent deep strikes by Ukrainian forces targeting Russia's oil and gas infrastructure.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to attend the NATO summit in Ankara as part of one of his final engagements in office. The British government confirmed that support for Ukraine will be a significant topic of discussion during the meeting, where Starmer will face intensified scrutiny over defense spending commitments.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.