Russia Pounds Ukraine With A Barrage of Ballistics. Kremlin Is Exploiting A Crucial Weakness

Russia pounded Kyiv with ballistic missiles and other weapons, killing one and wounding 16 people, exploiting Ukraine's shortage of US-made Patriot air defense systems.

In recent weeks, Kremlin has stepped up its use of ballistic missiles as it seeks to retaliate for Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities deep inside Russia, which have spurred critical fuel shortages, affecting its military action in Kyiv and also impacting the civilians, the Associated Press reported.

Earlier this month, the US pledged to give Kyiv the permission to produce Patriot missiles as President Donald Trump seemingly reversed his stance on the issue, mounting pressure on Kremlin.

The Russian strikes on Ukraine intensified after the development, exposing the vulnerability of Kyiv's airspace. Ukraine is facing a shortage of air defence stockpiles, and is hoping for immediate Western military assistance.

Though the US has pledged to grant Ukraine licenses to produce Patriots, the most effective means of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles that would bolster Kyiv's defenses, the timeline of such a deal remains unclear. Experts have warned that full production could take years.

Russia has reportedly launched 41 missiles and 125 drones across Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force claimed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said most of the missiles had targeted the capital.

The Russian strikes also sparked fires in five districts, apart from damaging residential buildings, office and industrial sites, a dormitory and vehicles, Ukraine's State Emergency Service informed.

Rescue workers have pulled out four people from a burning home in the Sviatoshynskyi district. One person was found dead in a fire at a three-story building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, but rescue workers managed to save many,.

Firefighters also manage to rescue many people in blazes reported from the Solomyanskyi, Desnianskyi and Dnipro districts.

Russia's Defense Ministry has said the latest pounding of Kyiv targeted sites linked to the Ukrainian military, specifically mentioning facilities producing Flamingo drones and parts for Neptune guided missiles. It also cited a postal terminal used for storing dual-use goods and assembling drones, robotic systems and electronic warfare equipment.

Moscow has been deeply worried by Ukrainian drone attacks including the latest one which hit a key terminal off Russia's coast

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) reported a strike on two oil tankers at its ‌terminal off Russia's Black Sea. The CPC reported the strikes halted oil loadings.

It did not say whether Ukraine was behind the attack on the ASIA and NISSOS tankers in Novorossiysk port.

The CPC is a 940-mile oil pipeline connecting Kazakhstan's Caspian Sea oil deposits ⁠with Novorossiysk, where the oil is loaded and shipped by tanker to world markets.
The pipeline accounts for about 80% of oil-rich Kazakhstan's crude exports, with the Russian government and Russian state oil firms holding a combined 31% stake in the enterprise, the AP report said.

As the protracted conflict continues in its fourth year, Moscow and Kyiv have ramped up strikes on ships in the Black and Azov.

Ukraine claims it targets Russia's so-called shadow fleet, which ferries oil in violation of US and Western sanctions over the Kremlin's invasion of its neighbor.

The Ukrainian strategy has been to cut Russia's vital oil sales, which has been feeding Moscow's war appetite through the funds raised.

The US had waived sanctions on loaded Russian oil cargoes thrice since the conflict began, helping Russia to boost oil sales. It has also resorted to discounted sales to major buyers like India and China through its shadow fleets.

Ukrainian attacks on oil facilities deep inside Russia have triggered acute fuel shortages in one of the world's top oil producers.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukrainian units have struck more energy infrastructure in Russian territory, including three oil depots in the Stavropol region.

Three Russian tankers were also struck in the Black Sea, he said.

Russian news outlet Astra on Sunday claimed that three oil depots may be burning in Stavropol.

Russia's defense ministry has claimed its air defense systems shot down 140 Ukrainiandrones over eight Russian regions, annexed Crimea, and the Black and Azov seas overnight into Sunday.