Ukraine War: Zelenskyy Demands More Air Defense Missiles After Kyiv Attack Kills 30
In the Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging the United States and European partners to deliver stronger air defense support, including more interceptor missiles, following a massive Russian overnight attack on Kyiv that killed at least 30 people. [5]
Recent Russian Attack on Kyiv
Overnight on 1 July 2026, widespread attacks across Kyiv killed at least 30 people and injured scores more. [5] In one of the most devastating nights the city has experienced since the escalation of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, tens of thousands of families again sought safety in underground shelters, enduring hours of fear and uncertainty. [5] Zelenskyy reported that Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 attack drones in the assault on Kyiv. [1] Ukrainian forces intercepted many drones and cruise missiles but were unable to stop Russian ballistic missiles due to insufficient interceptor supplies. [1] The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that the intensifying hostilities, including the July 1 attacks on Kyiv, have claimed dozens of lives, injured scores more and deepened trauma for civilians who spent hours in underground shelters. [5]
Zelenskyy's Call for Enhanced Air Defense
Zelenskyy called on participants at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, to produce strong decisions supporting Ukraine's air defense to protect civilians. [1] He noted that Patriot missiles remaining in allies' stockpiles only encourages Russia to continue striking residential buildings. [1] "Our warriors performed well today in intercepting drones and cruise missiles, but unfortunately not Russian ballistic missiles. And the reason lies in the insufficient supply of interceptor missiles," Zelenskyy stated. [1] "It is critically important that the world – first and foremost the United States and our European partners – come out of the NATO Summit in Ankara with strong decisions in support of our air defense, and thus the protection of ordinary people’s lives," he added. [1] "As long as Patriot missiles remain in our allies' stockpiles, Russia is only encouraged to keep 'vanquishing' residential buildings. The United States and Europe have enough strength to stop this terror," Zelenskyy asserted. [1]
Dmitry Peskov and Vladimir Putin attend a formal event. — Source: gdelt
Kremlin Acknowledges Full-Scale War
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged for the first time that what Russia calls a 'special military operation' has become a full 'war' and blamed the West. [2] "Prebieha vojna, je to skutočná vojna," Peskov said in an interview. [2] He cited assistance from Berlin, Paris, Washington and others in targeting via satellites and foreign weapons. [2] "Všetko sa to začalo ako špeciálna vojenská operácia. Pokračuje to však ako vojna, pretože za Kyjevom stoja Berlín, Paríž, Haag, Oslo a, žiaľ, aj Washington," Peskov added. [2] "Pretože im pomáhajú zameriavať ciele prostredníctvom svojich satelitov a prostredníctvom celej svojej infraštruktúry im pomáhajú mieriť zahraničnými zbraňami na naše ciele," he noted. [2] In Russia the term 'war' had previously been subject to legal restrictions under article 207.3 of the Criminal Code. [2]
Russian Military Losses
Ukrainian General Staff reported Russian personnel losses of 1,420 over the past day, bringing the total to 1,411,050 since February 2022. [4] The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 6 July 2026 include approximately 1,411,050 military personnel, 12,088 tanks, 24,894 armoured combat vehicles, 45,451 artillery systems, 1,917 multiple-launch rocket systems, 1,473 air defence systems, 436 fixed-wing aircraft, 353 helicopters, 1,833 ground robotic systems, 392,717 operational-tactical UAVs, 4,850 cruise missiles, 33 ships/boats, 2 submarines, 116,686 vehicles and fuel tankers, and 4,389 special vehicles and other equipment. [4]
Zelenskyy urges Western allies to supply more air defense missiles after deadly Russian attack on Kyiv. — Source: gdelt
NATO Summit Context
President Donald Trump is slated to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week. [1] Large banners on an office complex near the Presidential Palace, the venue for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit, in Ankara, Turkey, were visible on Monday, July 6, 2026. [1] Reuters reported that Zelenskyy, new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to have dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday. [1] Zelenskyy is calling for the U.S. and European allies to emerge from the meeting with strong decisions in support of Ukraine's air defense. [1]
Humanitarian Impact on Civilians
The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that the intensifying hostilities have claimed dozens of lives, injured scores more and deepened trauma for civilians who spent hours in underground shelters. [5] Overnight on 1 July 2026, widespread attacks across Kyiv killed at least 30 people and injured scores more. [5] In one of the most devastating nights the city has experienced since the escalation of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, tens of thousands of families again sought safety in underground shelters, enduring hours of fear and uncertainty. [5] As staff and volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross continue their work, the organization has highlighted the deepening trauma experienced by Kyiv residents amid the ongoing attacks. [5]
What to watch next: Zelenskyy, new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to have dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday ahead of the summit in Ankara.
