Kallas appeals for interceptor missiles as Ukraine faces air defence shortage
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged countries possessing air defence interceptors nearing their expiry date to donate them to Ukraine, saying the country lacks the necessary hardware to protect its civilians. Speaking at an informal gathering of EU defence ministers in Wicklow, Ireland, Kallas stated, "The main issue is air defence. They are lacking interceptors."
She elaborated, "We know that some of the countries have interceptors that will expire soon. So, it would be very good if those would be given to Ukraine so that they can use them to protect their people." Her remarks came as the EU explored additional avenues to support Kyiv, including discussions with non-EU nations—though Kallas acknowledged these talks remain difficult—and ongoing work to develop European interceptor missiles jointly with Ukraine.
Kallas highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that July and August were the deadliest months for civilians in Ukraine. "Russia is really escalating its attacks to inflict as much damage as possible on the Ukrainian people, to break them," she said, adding that Ukrainians "remain strong" and require support.
Deadly overnight strike on Kyiv
Kallas's appeal coincided with an overnight Russian air offensive that targeted Kyiv and surrounding areas, killing at least 12 people, including an Indian national, and injuring over a dozen others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the toll, stating, "Overall, 12 people were killed, among them an Indian citizen, and dozens more were injured in the attack."
Zelensky also described the attack as involving a high volume of jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles, which damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. He asserted that Russia's bombardments were deliberately planned "to destroy lives as much as possible—and it succeeds only when air defence resources are insufficient."
The assault marked the sixth successive day of attacks on the Ukrainian capital. It came as Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where he met with Prime Minister Modi.
Broader context: missile shortages and infrastructure strikes
Ukraine confronts a severe deficit of interceptor missiles, particularly American-built Patriot systems used against ballistic threats, according to a report in The Tribune. The same report noted that Moscow has capitalised on a worldwide shortage of air defence interceptor missiles—largely linked to the US war in Iran—to intensify its aerial bombardments.
Additionally, the report said Moscow has drastically elevated both the frequency and severity of drone strikes targeting export infrastructure in the Odesa region, blocking primary Black Sea ports that once handled 90 per cent of the nation's exports.