Ukraine downs five ballistic missiles as Zelenskyy seeks Europe shield

Ukraine said it intercepted five Russian ballistic missiles in overnight attacks, though other missiles and drones struck sites in Kyiv, damaging warehouses and a school. The attacks came as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought more help on air defence in France and announced a new plan with European partners to build a shared ballistic missile shield.

The developments also came as both sides kept up long-range strikes. While Russia said it had targeted military manufacturing facilities in Ukraine, Kyiv said it had hit oil-related and naval targets inside Russia, as the war continued with no breakthrough on ceasefire efforts.

Ukraine's air force said it was the first time in almost two weeks that it had shot down Russian ballistic missiles, which are harder to intercept than drones or cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defences likely used the US-made Patriot surface-to-air guided missile system, seen as the most effective way to counter ballistic missiles, though ammunition has been in short supply amid the Iran war despite European efforts to make up for the gap.